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ELAC seeks executive‑committee volunteers as appointed seats and attendance rules complicate recruitment
Summary
The Early Learning Advisory Council has two executive‑committee vacancies. CE staff said most ELAC seats are assigned by outside appointing authorities under the Fair Start for Kids Act, creating appointment and attendance challenges that members and legislators raised at the meeting.
Marlene White, DCYF’s community engagement manager, and ELAC co‑chairs updated members on leadership and membership issues: regional adviser representative selection was under way and a decision was expected the week of Dec. 9; the executive‑committee election was pushed to the next ELAC meeting because an interested candidate could not attend; and there are two vacancies on the executive committee.
Members and staff discussed time commitments and roles. ELAC co‑chairs said responsibilities include planning agendas with the CE team, coordinating materials and facilitating meetings; co‑chairs typically participate in planning meetings between ELAC sessions. Enrique and Lois emphasized the team nature of the role and encouraged members to apply even if they were unsure.
Erin and Marlene explained a change under the Fair Start for Kids Act: most ELAC seats are assigned by external appointing authorities rather than filled through open public recruitment. That approach has produced vacancies and inconsistent attendance; staff said they first reach out to individuals and the appointing authorities to address absences and may request replacement assignments if attendance does not improve.
Representative Marie Levitt suggested waiting until a new DCYF administration is in place before seeking a statutory fix and engaging the incoming secretary about bolstering participation; other members urged a legislative conversation in 2026. Marlene invited potential candidates to contact CE staff and said that minutes and the reflection survey would capture follow‑up questions.
What’s next: CE will collect names of interested volunteers, circulate more detailed role descriptions and share appointing‑authority contacts; the executive‑committee election will be held at the next ELAC meeting.
