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Virginia C apitol C onnections, Fall 2014
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In August Governor McAuliffe
signed two Executive Orders prioritizing
his administration’s efforts around the
education, health, safety, and welfare of
Virginia’s children and youth. The first
established The Children’s Cabinet,
co-chaired by Secretary Hazel and
Secretary Holton, which is developing and
implementing a policy agenda that will
help better serve Virginia’s children from
birth to age 21, and will foster collaboration
between state and local agencies. As a part
of that effort, the Governor also signed a second Executive Order
establishing the Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success. This
Council, chaired by Lt. Governor Northam, will focus on improving
the health, education, and well-being of children from birth to age 8.
“Children are the Commonwealth’s most important resource, and
it is critical that we provide them with the tools and resources they
need to thrive in a 21st century economy,” said Governor McAuliffe.
“Both the Children’s Cabinet and the Commonwealth Council on
Childhood Success will help ensure that Virginia’s children live
happy and productive lives.”
Last month the Governor announced members of the
Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success which includes
a number of agency heads, key agency staff, legislators, service
providers, advocates, parents, and representatives from higher
education institutions, the medical and business communities.
In addition to these members, the Council will rely on support
and workgroup participation from a variety of stakeholders who
are committed to ensuring that all Virginians start off with the best
possible chance to thrive, succeed in school, and become contributing
adult members of their communities.
“As Chair of the Commonwealth Council on Childhood Success,
I thank the Governor for appointing such an esteemed group of
members,” said Lieutenant Governor Ralph Northam. “I look
forward to working with them and our stakeholder partners to develop
strategies for improving the funding for, access to, and quality of
childcare and early education programs in Virginia; ensuring all
students enter kindergarten ready to thrive and succeed academically;
and closing the achievement gap that exists for far too many kids in
elementary school.”
At their first meeting in early October, the group spent time
brainstorming about issues the Council should prioritize and
workgroups structures to facilitate their work. The result of those
discussions is a workgroup structure that includes 3 workgroups,
to be focused on school readiness; health and well-being; and data
and governance. The School Readiness workgroup will include three
subgroups focused on the Virginia Preschool Initiative; Quality of
and Access to Childcare and Preschool; and Early Elementary Years.
The workgroups will meet in between Council meetings to
develop recommendations for final consideration by the full Council
in the spring, followed by a final report to the Children’s Cabinet and
Governor in June of 2015.
More information about the Council, including meeting
schedules, membership and stakeholder rosters, and public comment
opportunities, can be found on the Lieutenant Governor’s website at:
Holly Coy is the Policy Director in the Office of Lt. Governor Ralph
Northam.
Launch of the New
Commonwealth Council
on Childhood Success by Holly Coy
Parking available adjacent to building
Phone 804-644-1702
FAX: 804-644-1703
E-Mail:
Web Site:
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