On July 12, Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced the establishment of an Early Learning Advisory Council and tied the move to the state’s intent to pursue Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge funds.
Rick Hulefeld, executive director of Children, Inc. in Covington, Ky., will serve as chair. The council’s executive director is Terry Tolan, former president and CEO of the United Way of Kentucky. Tolan has a long track record of service in statewide early-childhood initiatives. The council has 26 members and is bipartisan.
The press release announcing the council’s creation also said the governor’s office will be Kentucky’s official applicant for RTT-ELC funds. A core team of the governor’s office, the new council, the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, and the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has been created to prepare the application.