(FRANKFORT, Ky.) – To facilitate the development and enhancement of high-quality early childhood care and education systems, Kentucky is creating a State Advisory Council on Early Childhood.
The federal Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007 authorizes the governor of each state to establish a State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education. Each state’s advisory council will facilitate the development or enhancement of high-quality systems of early childhood care and education designed to improve school readiness and strengthen state-level coordination and collaboration among the state’s early childhood programs. Even though federal funds are made available as part of the Head Start Act, the State Advisory Council is to address the quality and availability of programs and services for all children from birth to school entry.
The application process requires that each state make its strategic plan available for public comment, and the Kentucky Department of Education invites educators, local officials and interested citizens to review Kentucky’s strategic plan and make comments through an online survey.
Kentucky’s strategic plan is posted at http://educationcabinet.ky.gov/eceadvisorycouncil.htm. Individuals may read the plan, then take a brief survey to provide input. The survey is available at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3RQJWRZ. All comments will be compiled, and all responses are confidential.
Kentucky’s application is due August 1, so individuals are encouraged to review the strategic plan and take the survey as soon as possible.
Kentucky’s final plan will be posted online after approval by the federal government.
More information about State Advisory Councils is available at http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc/Program%20Design%20and%20Management/sac/state_advisory_councils.html.
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