About Us
Where It All Began ECAC History
Founded in 2009 by an executive order signed by Governor Gibbons, in the 2013 Nevada Legislature, Governor Sandoval established the Council in NRS Code, statute 472, when signing Assembly Bill 79, found here: Assembly Bill 79
Who Can Participate In The Nevada ECAC?
The Nevada Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) includes appointed voting members and members of the public who contribute to discussions and may choose to join a subcommittee. Both general meetings and subcommittees are open to the public, and participation is encouraged from diverse representatives across business, community, education, government, nonprofit, parent, and provider groups.
So, Who Are We?
We are advocates who work to strengthen state-level coordination and collaboration among the various sectors and settings of early childhood programs. As we recognize the importance of quality prenatal care in early childhood, the very definition of Early Childhood, written and approved by our Council, is the period of life starting with prenatal through birth, all the way to age eight. This is a period of rapid and critical development, needing access to nutrition, health care, protection, exploration, and age-appropriate learning to stimulate a child’s physical, cognitive, linguistic, and social-emotional development.
Purpose
The Council shall work to strengthen state-level coordination and collaboration among the various sectors and settings of early childhood education programs in Nevada.
Vision
Nevada’s children will be safe, healthy, and thrive during the first eight years of life, and the system will support children and families in achieving their full potential.
Mission
Help deliver all available resources to Nevada’s children
and families by strengthening state-level coordination and
collaboration between the various sectors and settings of
early childhood systems in Nevada.
Goals
1. Comprehensive and Integrated Early Childhood System
The Nevada ECAC supports the development of a comprehensive, connected early childhood system that aims to provide a seamless, unified, and coordinated approach to early childhood development and education, recognizing how various factors (health, safety, education, etc.) that influence a child’s well-being and potential must work together. This approach is critical in setting the stage for a child’s future success by addressing their physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development during these formative years.
2. Workforce Development
The Nevada ECAC embraces the principle that a strong early childhood workforce is foundational to Nevada’s success in supporting children from birth through age eight. A qualified and well prepared, respectfully compensated, and representative workforce ensures high-quality services and provides consistent relationships vital for a child’s development.
3. Fiscal Policy and Sustainability
The Nevada ECAC recognizes that the early childhood system must be sustainably funded at a level sufficient to provide high-quality programs across all sectors to ALL children and families prenatal through age eight. This includes funding to expand access to needed services, ensuring robust funding to support high-quality services, and that funding sources are sustainable to support on-going, seamless service delivery.
4. Advocacy and Influence
The Nevada ECAC’s primary purpose, as defined in NRS 432A.076, is to “strengthen state-level coordination and collaboration among the various sectors and settings of early childhood programs. This goal leverages Nevada ECAC’s position to drive policy change, influence key decision-making, and ensure that early childhood is embraced as a leading priority in Nevada, championed by well informed decision makers.