What is a Community Early Childhood Council?
A Community Early Childhood Council (CECC) addresses the unique needs and strengths of local communities related to early childhood. The Community Early Childhood Council is a vehicle for bringing together many community members to support issues of importance to children and families. KIDS NOW has designated a CECC service area as being no smaller than a county, with counties having the option to partner with other counties to form a Council.
Who may serve on a CECC?
The purpose of forming Community Early Childhood Councils is to involve members who represent a cross-section of the community and who can foster efforts to improve outcomes for young children and families. House Bill 706, the KIDS NOW legislation, lists 27 representatives of diverse groups who may be potential CECC members. Membership on the CECC is not limited to the 27 representatives, but any CECC must be no smaller than 7 members nor larger than 27 members. All interested community members are encouraged to contribute their ideas and expertise to the CECC.
What do Community Early Childhood Councils do?
CECCs assure that community participation, designed by the community, is a part of KIDS NOW. CECCs use new and existing relationships within communities to build and sustain supports for early childhood development. Quality improvements are supported by seed money that may be applied for and disbursed by the CECCs.
Where can I learn more about CECCS?
Contact Annette Bridges at 502-564-8341, or e-mail annette.bridges@education.ky.gov to learn how you may become involved on a CECC or to learn about your local CECC activities.
Background
House Bill 706 provides the following information on the formation of Community Early Childhood Councils.
A. COMMUNITY EARLY CHILDHOOD COUNCILS
SECTION 4. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 200 IS CREATED TO READ AS FOLLOWS:
(1) The family resource center and the child-care resource and referral agency in the service area shall form a community early childhood council and appoint members to the council for each service area designated under Section 2 of this Act. A council shall be composed of no fewer than seven (7) and no more than twenty-seven (27) members. Members may be appointed who represent local agencies and organizations, including but not limited to the organizations or agencies listed below, with no more than one (1) member from each:
(a) Early childhood advocate;
(b) Faith community;
(c) School district;
(d) Family resource center;
(e) Military establishment;
(f) Head Start or Early Head Start;
(g) Child-care (profit, nonprofit, or family child-care);
(h) Child-care resource and referral agency or child-care subsidy agent;
(i) Child-care consumer or parent;
(j) County cooperative extension service;
(k) Department for public health;
(l) University, college, or technical school;
(m) United Way;
(n) Kentucky Early Intervention System;
(o) Agency administering services to children with disabilities;
(p) Home visitation agency;
(q) Family literacy agency;
(r) Civic organization;
(s) Public library;
(t) Regional training center;
(u) Community action agency;
(v) Government;
(w) Business community;
(x) Home schooling association;
(y) Health care professional;
(z) Foster care parent; or
(aa) Adoptive parent.
(2) Members shall serve on a community early childhood council on a voluntary basis and receive no compensation or expense reimbursement for their service.
(3)
(a) Members shall serve for a term of two (2) years and until their successors are appointed, except that for those members initially appointed, the terms shall be as follows:
1. One-third (1/3) of the members shall be appointed for three (3) years;
2. One-third (1/3) shall be appointed for two (2) years; and
3. One-third (1/3) shall be appointed for one (1) year.
(b) Vacancies shall be appointed for unexpired terms in the same manner as original appointments.
(4) A community early childhood council shall collaborate with the District Early Intervention Committee, the Preschool Interagency Planning Council, and other existing interagency groups in the service area.
(5) A community early childhood council may apply for a competitive grant from the authority, consistent with a state plan for grant participation as established by the authority. Grant proposals shall:
(a) Include a needs assessment and budget proposal for the respective service area served by a council;
(b) Not include administrative costs that exceed five percent (5%); and
(c) Contain a signed statement from each member of the council certifying that no program, agency, or individual that may receive part of an award would constitute a conflict of interest under KRS Chapter 11A for the council member. Issues concerning conflicts of interest shall be submitted to the Executive Branch Ethics Commission for resolution.
(6) A community early childhood council shall submit a quarterly report to the authority that details the activities and services of the council, including the progress that the council has made toward addressing the early childhood development goals for its designated service area and recommendations that may be included in the state plan.
(7) Any records that are in the custody of a community early childhood council, a designated service provider, or a grantee that contain personal and identifying information relating to a family or children receiving services through the council shall be confidential and not subject to public disclosure, except as otherwise authorized by law.