Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council

The strategic goal of the Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council is to ensure Montana has a comprehensive, coordinated, early childhood system that provides a governance structure and leads to strong collaboration in order to best meet the needs of Montana’s youngest citizens. It has previously been known as the Best Beginnings Advisory Council. The Montana Early Childhood Advisory Council is coordinated through the Early Childhood Family Support Division (ECFSD) of DPHHS with a council chair nominated from council membership.

  • Kim Latrielle, Chair, Representative of Business Industry
  • Meghan Ballenger, Childcare Resource and Referral Agencies
  • Lucy Beltz, State Education Agency OPI (Part B, Homelessness)
  • Taylor Boylan, Early Childhood Workforce Development
  • Beth Branam, Representative of Early Childhood Coalition
  • Charlie Brereton, Governor's Education Advisor
  • Jennifer Burckhard, Representative of Local Home Visiting Program
  • Patty Butler, Representative of the State Agency for Child Care, Child Care Licensing, and Child and Adult Care Food Program
  • Stacey Clement, Child Care Business
  • Kristen Day, Representative from the American Academy of Pediatrics
  • Lesa Evers, State Tribal Relations
  • Kari Harris, Representative of Services for Children with Developmental Delays/Disabilities
  • Leigh Ann Holmes, Representative of Associate for Montana Public Health Officials
  • Caitlin Jensen, Zero to Five Montana
  • Brandi Loch, State Agency Responsible for Child Welfare
  • Tobin Novasio, Representative of Local Education Agency
  • Meghan Peel, Representative from the State Agency Responsible for Health or Mental Health
  • Ashley Pena-Larsen, Member of the Head Start Association
  • Kathy Rich, State Director of Head Start Collaboration
  • Vacant, Representative for Economic Development
  • Darlene Schottle, Member of the Board of Public Education
  • Wendy Studt, Representative of the State Agency for Part C
  • Brock Tessman, Institutions of Higher Education
  • Christie Twardoski, State Agency Responsible for Public Assistance
  • Rachel Wanderscheid, Statewide Afterschool Network
  • Vacant, State Agency Responsible for Workforce Development

Committees

This committee focuses on challenges and opportunities in bridging the needs of the business community and early childhood services. 

Committee Lead: Caitlin Jensen and Adam Schafer

Staff: Darla Dexter

This committee will focuses on retention and quality improvement recommendations for the early childhood and family support system, with specific focus on accessibility, affordability, and quality of services.

Committee Lead: Meghan Ballenger

Staff: Leslie Lee

The committee focuses on workforce development strategies for the early childhood and home visiting workforce. 

Committee Lead: Brock Tessman and Taylor Boylan

Staff: Sally Tilleman

This committee focuses on how to engage and support families through a universal family engagement framework that can be implemented at a local and state level.   

Committee Lead: Jennifer Burckhard

Staff: Kathy Rich