Beshear Creates Early Childhood Task Force

Governor Beshear issued this statement today:

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Recognizing the significant role a child’s younger years play in future achievements, Gov. Steve Beshear today signed an Executive Order creating the Task Force on Early Childhood Development and Education.

“The future success of our commonwealth is dependent upon the education, health and welfare of our youngest citizens,” Beshear said. “We must all work together to provide for them a solid foundation on which to build happy, healthy, successful lives.”

While Kentucky has the elements of a comprehensive system of early childhood programs including dedicated service providers, a supportive business community and leaders who recognize the importance of high-quality early childhood experiences, the governor said it’s time to bring those components together for collaboration and coordination.

To that end, the governor appointed a 27-member task force of stakeholders including public and private child care providers, school system personnel, college professors and businesspeople. The group will work to promote greater collaboration among service-providers to young children, bring a renewed emphasis to quality at all levels, and determine a common understanding and definition of “school readiness.”

Kentucky’s Education and Workforce Development Cabinet Secretary Helen Mountjoy and Cabinet for Health and Family Services Secretary Janie Miller will co-chair the task force.