We all know Austin is unique for so many reasons, but did you know about our unique approach to early childhood investments? Our city has a formal body that advises City Council on early childhood issues and initiatives, dating back to 1985! Today this body is known as the Early Childhood Council (ECC), and is made up of 13 stakeholders from different sectors, who come together with recommendations on how our City Council should budget, spend, and address all matters that help ensure that our kids happy, healthy, and ready to succeed in school and beyond.
The Early Childhood Council is a very important part of our early care and education ecosystem, and their work promotes our Success By 6 Coalition efforts, helping us reach the goals of our strategic plan. We are grateful for the work they do, and we want everyone in Austin to celebrate them! Hear from a Success By 6 Coalition Leadership Team member and ECC member, Dr. Aletha C. Huston, on some recent successes from the ECC.
Blog contributions from Aletha C. Huston, Professor Emerita of Child Development, University of Texas at Austin Early Childhood Council Member, District 5 Success By 6 Coalition Leadership Team Member
The Early Childhood Council (ECC) is a City of Austin commission assigned to make recommendations to City Council for the “creation, development, and implementation of programs that promote optimal development for young children…and contribute to a system of high-quality early care and education and after-school programs for Austin’s children.”
In recent months, the ECC:
- Advocated successfully for a child care center in the new Dove Springs Health Center
- Recommended that child care centers receive city CARES funds; up to $5 million was allocated by the City Council
- Advocated for including child care with the group forming the Economic Development Corporation in Austin
- Met with the Deputy City Manager to discuss involvement of families in Reimagining Public Safety
- Became part of the City Joint Inclusion Committee, which promotes diversity in city programs.
The monthly meetings, which are open to the public, include opportunities for Citizen Communications. More information about members, meetings, and actions can be found here.
Will you help the ECC advocate for Austin’s youngest citizens? The Early Childhood Council welcomes interested individuals or organizations to help inform the Council work through Citizen’s Communications or by communicating with your ECC District representative.