Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council
About the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council
In 2022, the Early Childhood Education and Care Department (ECECD) established the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council, which will further the governor’s priority to create a more cohesive, equitable, and family-centered early childhood education and care system in New Mexico.
The Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council and its Subcommittees hold regular meetings. Details about these meetings, access to materials, and information on how to submit public comments are hosted on this page.
This Council replaces the Early Learning Advisory Council. New Mexico is required by federal law to have a state advisory early childhood council – this Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council fulfills this requirement and aligns with the Department’s Five-Year Strategic Plan.
Public Comment Information
Individuals are invited to provide oral or written public comment at regular and special meetings of the Council. The Council will hear comments from the public pertaining to topics related to agenda items. Individuals are limited to three minutes each.
To sign up for public comment, an individual may:
- Email sarah.schott@ececd.nm.gov, or
- Type in the chat of the Zoom meeting that you would like to sign up for public comment (if you are attending virtually);
- or sign up in person at the meeting on the registration sheet.
Council Members:
The Council’s ex officio members:
- Patrick Allen, Department of Health Cabinet Secretary
- Alanna Dancis, Chief Medical Officer, Medical Assistance Division, Human Services Department
- Elizabeth Groginsky, Cabinet Secretary of ECECD
- Mariana Padilla, Cabinet Secretary of Public Education Department
- Stephanie Rodriguez, Cabinet Secretary of Higher Education Department
- Casey Lafferty, ECECD Deputy Division Director of Policy, Research, and Quality Initiatives, and New Mexico Head Start State Collaboration Director
- Teresa Casados, Cabinet Secretary of Children, Youth, & Families Department
Additional Council Members:
- Crystal Tapia-Romero, Owner/Operator of New Mexico Early Learning Academy
- Jacob Vigil, Deputy Policy Director, New Mexico Voices for Children
- Teresa Quintana, Director of NM Workforce Development Program, Southwest Key Programs
- Mayra Lovas, Vice President of Grants JF Maddox Foundation
- Allen Sanchez, President of CHI St. Joseph’s Children
- Diane Denish, former New Mexico Lt. Governor
Additional Council Members:
- Zach Ben, Parent Representative
- Lula Mae Brown, Director of Early Childhood Services for ENMRSH, Inc
- Robert Chavez, CEO of Youth Development Incorporated
- Daisy Lira, City Council Woman, District 2 of Sunland Park
- Brian Luck, Superintendent, Roswell Independent School District
- Dr. Cindy Martinez, Dean of Early Childhood for Western New Mexico University
- Lakersha Martinez, Bridges to Opportunity Director, Growing Up New Mexico
Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council Subcommittees
Click the meeting tabs below to learn about the subcommittee’s description, members, and meeting details.
- Public-Private Partnership Subcommittee
- Program Quality and Accountability Subcommittee
- Early Childhood Professionals Subcommittee
- Data, Infrastructure, and Analysis Subcommittee
Public-Private Partnership Purpose Statement: To advocate and promote access to equitable delivery of early childhood programs and services through strategic investments and partnerships in infrastructure (e.g. facilities, professional development, technical assistance etc.) that aligns with the needs of communities and enhances the capacity of private, non- and for-profit entities, public agencies, and Tribal nations to deliver high-quality services.
- Chair: Elizabeth Groginsky
- Vice Chair: Allen Sanchez
- ECECD Staff Support: Janis Gonzales, Mark Dominguez, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Mayra Lovas, Teresa Quintana, Rob Black, Dr. Corrine Sanchez and Lula Mae Brown
- Non-Council Members: Katie Wylie, Natasha Gacinski, Elizabeth Wieser, Kristi McBride, Barbara Tedrow, and Jenn Donelli
- Meeting Dates 2024:
- Monday, April 8, 2024 from 12 – 1:15 p.m.
- Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, August 1, 2024 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, October 3, 2024 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 9 – 10:15 a.m.
- Zoom meeting link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/86089514634
5Program Quality and Accountability Purpose Statement: The purpose of this committee is to explore and advise on processes of quality and accountability across ECECD’s programs to ensure clear, consistent, and reasonable expectations with measurable standards and targeted supports for early childhood professionals.
- Chair: Cindy Martinez
- Vice Chair: Daisy Lira
- ECECD Staff Support: Sara Mickelson, Sandy Trujillo-Medina, Rosario Roybal, Micah McCoy, Helen Quintana, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Lakersha Martinez, and Shana Runck
- Non-Council Members: Evakristel De Luna, Rosa Hammond, Sondra Carpenter, Anel Zamora, Alice Peos, Ruth Porta, Holly Gurule, and Valerie Stefani
- Supplemental committee meetings: Supplemental committee meetings on FOCUS Redesign will be held every other Friday from 1-2 p.m. beginning December 6, 2024 and continuing through March 2025.
- Friday, December 6, 2024 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, December 20, 2024 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, January 3, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, January 17, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, January 31, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, February 14, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, February 28, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 14, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Friday, March 28, 2025 from 1 – 2 p.m.
- Meeting Dates 2024:
- Thursday, April 25, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, May 23, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, June 27, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, July 25, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, September 26, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, October 24, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
- Thursday, November 21, 2024 from 3 – 4 p.m.
Zoom Meeting Link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/89586052212
Early Childhood Professionals Purpose Statement: The purpose of this committee is to actively support and promote mechanisms for recruitment, fostering inclusivity and diversity in the field of early childhood education. By engaging with the community and listening to their needs, we aim to remove barriers and create a welcoming environment for aspiring educators. Our committee will collaborate with ECECD, sharing valuable feedback and well-informed recommendations, ultimately influencing policy, and implementing effective programs that support and elevate early childhood education.
- Chair: Crystal Tapia-Romero
- Vice Chair: Robert Chavez
- ECECD Staff Support: Lela Wendell, Shana Runck, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Brian Luck
- Non-Council Members: April Spaulding, Kristeena Dehne, Robin Goodnight, Carmen Estrella Trigo Martinez, Merline Gallegos, Angela Garcia, Margo Dichtelmiller, Anne Duran, Yolanda Philgreen, and Donna Fletcher
- Meeting Dates 2024:
- Monday, April 15, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, May 20, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, June 17, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, July 15, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, August 19, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, September 23, 1 – 2 p.m. (Zoom link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/84904796293)
- Monday, October 21, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, November 18, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Monday, December 9, 1 – 2 p.m.
- Zoom Meeting Link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/84904796293
Data, Infrastructure, and Analysis Purpose Statement: Connect, promote, share, and champion actionable data, data systems, and information in the spirit of inclusion and collaboration to understand and communicate state early childhood needs and help drive state-level policy, funding and infrastructure that supports incredible opportunities in improving outcomes for New Mexico children, families, and early childhood professionals.
- Chair: Elizabeth Groginsky
- Vice Chair: Jacob Vigil
- ECECD Staff Support: Sandeep Patel, Trixi Bubemyre, Ty Knight, Mark Hume, Sarah Schott
- Council Members: Alanna Dancis
- Non-Council Members: Erica Surova, Jennifer Marquez, Norma Ochoa, Tara Terry Voit, Jackie Shipley, Melissa Scott, Lisa Shaanan, and Helen Ortega
- Meeting Dates 2024:
- Wednesday April 17, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 15, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday June 26, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Tuesday, July 23, 2024 from 1:00-2:15 p.m
- Wednesday August 21, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, September 11, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday October 16, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday, November 6, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Wednesday December 4, 2024 from 11 – 12:15 p.m.
- Zoom meeting link: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/82636713094
2024 Upcoming Meetings
- Click the dates below for meeting details (in-person location and Zoom link).
- All meetings will be hybrid (meeting dates are subject to change). Spanish interpretation is offered via Zoom.
Seeking past meeting materials?
See the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council materials library below for all meeting records.
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. in Farmington, NM
In-Person Location:
Presbyterian Medical Center
Merrion Room 1001
West Broadway, Suite D Farmington, NM 87401
Zoom Details:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/87065072080
Meeting ID: 870 6507 2080
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Meeting ID: 870 6507 2080
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kbqbbxzMOH
Wednesday, November 13, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. in Las Cruces , NM
In-Person Location:
FirstLight Federal Credit Union
Lohman Engagement Center 3791 E Lohman Ave Las Cruces, NM 88011
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC November Las Cruces
Time: Nov 13, 2024 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/84151531617
Meeting ID: 841 5153 1617
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• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
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• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
Meeting ID: 841 5153 1617
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kekQYF5n9P
Wednesday, December 11, 2024 from 1-4 p.m. in Albuquerque, NM
In-Person Location:
CNM Workforce Training Center 5600 Eagle Rock Ave NE
Albuquerque, NM 87113, Room 207
Zoom Details:
Topic: ECECAC December Albuquerque
Time: Dec 11, 2024 01:00 PM Mountain Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/j/83143664217
Meeting ID: 831 4366 4217
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One tap mobile
+16694449171,,83143664217# US
+16699009128,,83143664217# US (San Jose)
—
Dial by your location
• +1 669 444 9171 US
• +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
• +1 719 359 4580 US
• +1 253 205 0468 US
• +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
• +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
• +1 309 205 3325 US
• +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
• +1 360 209 5623 US
• +1 386 347 5053 US
• +1 507 473 4847 US
• +1 564 217 2000 US
• +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
• +1 646 931 3860 US
• +1 689 278 1000 US
• +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
• +1 305 224 1968 US
Meeting ID: 831 4366 4217
Find your local number: https://nmececdorg.zoom.us/u/kdgmnuYJlr
Executive Order 2023-59
The amended executive order establishing the Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council.
Advisory Council Contact Information
Sarah Schott
Strategy and Systems Alignment Analyst
Email: sarah.schott@ececd.nm.gov