5/23/2011
CHARLESTON, W.Va.- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin along with West Virginia Department of Education and the Arts Cabinet Secretary Kay Goodwin today announced the launch of the Early Childhood Advisory Council of West Virginia's website, www.wvearlylearning.org. The website will be the central communications point for the Council's work in addition to serving as a central clearinghouse for state and national early childhood programs, policy, and research. The Early Childhood Advisory Council is charged with creating a high quality, coordinated system of services to support early childhood development in the state.
"In its first five months, the Early Childhood Advisory Council has laid the groundwork to become an invaluable asset to our state and youth," Gov. Tomblin said. "Through this website, the Council will be able to collaborate and coordinate with local communities and stakeholders so that our children receive the best education foundation possible."
Chaired by Cabinet Secretary Kay Goodwin, the Early Childhood Advisory Council consists of representatives from many key groups including the Department of Education, The Higher Education Policy Commission, The Division of Early Care and Education, Head Start, WV Birth to Three, In-home family education, and the business community.
"There is already tremendous work taking place in all arenas of early childhood development," Chair Goodwin said. "This Council will highlight both our state's strengths as well as help to bring a renewed focus to those areas where improvement is still needed."
The Early Childhood Advisory Council, created by Executive Order No. 9-10 on July 13, 2010, receives funding through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This three-year grant will support all the functions of the Council. The grant is further supported by a state match from the West Virginia Department of Education.
The Council meets quarterly with additional subcommittees and workgroups meeting in the interim. For more information, please visit the Council's website at
www.wvearlylearning.org or contact ECAC Executive Manager, Gretchen Grove-DeJarnett, at (304) 558-2440.
Contact Information
Jacqueline Proctor or Gretchen Grove-DeJarnett
304-558-2000 or 304-558-2440