WKU News

Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear has appointed T/TAS staff member and Infant-Toddler Specialist, Amy S. Hood, EdD, to the to the Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council. Congratulations to Amy for this well-deserved recognition.

The Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council will work with state government to provide input and recommendations for improving the quality, access and outcomes of child care in the Commonwealth. The Council will be composed of 18 members appointed by the Governor to serve a term of three years. The appointed members of the council shall be geographically and culturally representative of the population of the Commonwealth.

Members will include: The commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, or designee. Four (4) members appointed by the Governor representing child-care center providers. Two (2) members appointed by the Governor representing family child- care home providers. Three (3) members appointed by the Governor who are parents, de facto custodians, guardians, or legal custodians of children receiving services from child-care centers or family child-care homes. Three (3) members appointed by the Governor from the private sector who are knowledgeable about education, health, and development of children. As a nonvoting ex officio members: The director of the Division of Child Care within the department, or designee. The commissioner of education, Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, or designee. The executive director of the Governor's Office of Early Childhood, or designee. The commissioner of the Department for Public Health within the cabinet, or designee. The state fire marshal, Public Protection Cabinet, or designee.

The council shall advise the cabinet on matters affecting the operations, funding, and licensing of child- care centers and family child-care homes. The council shall provide input and recommendations for ways to improve quality, access, and outcomes. The council shall meet at least quarterly and at other times upon call of the co-chairpersons.

The council shall make an annual report by December 1 that provides summaries and recommendations to address the availability, affordability, accessibility, and quality of child care in the Commonwealth. For administrative purposes, the council shall be attached to the Department for Community Based Services.*

The following is a list of the Kentucky Child Care Advisory Council membership**:

• Amy S. Hood, of Morgantown, is a trainer at Western Kentucky University. She represents the private sector who are knowledgeable about education, health and development of children.
• Twylynn Gail Edwards, of Leitchfield, is an early childhood manager for Breckinridge-Grayson Programs. She represents child care center providers.
• Randi Janesn, of Florence, is director of The Goddard School. She represents child care center providers.
• Lynn “Boogie” Morris, of Hopkinsville, works in child care for Let’s Go Play Academy. She represents child care center providers.
• Erica L. Tipton, of Mount Sterling, is executive director, Child Development Center of the Bluegrass. She represents child care center providers.
• Patricia A. Porter, of Radcliff, is a self-employed certified childcare provider. She represents family child care home providers.
• Linda J. Avery, of Hopkinsville, is a family childcare provider and preschool teacher. She represents family child care home providers.
• April M. Glover, of Somerset, is a learning consultant at Somerset Community College, Laurel Campus. She represents parents and/or guardians receiving services in licensed centers or certified homes.
• Carol Moore, of Nancy, is a systems representative for Modern Systems. She represents parents and/or guardians receiving services in licensed centers or certified homes.
• Erica D. Vaught, of Science Hill, is a softlines merchandiser with Kmart. She represents parents and/or guardians receiving services in licensed centers or certified homes.
• Adrienne Bush, of Hazard, is executive director, Hazard Perry County Community Ministries. She represents the private sector who are knowledgeable about education, health and development of children.
• Janet Masterson, of Louisville, is executive director, Community Coordinated Child Care, 4-C. She represents the private sector who are knowledgeable about education, health and development of children.

* http://www.kentuckysvoice.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/HB-429-info-sheet.pdf

** http://www.nkytribune.com/2015/11/governor-beshears-appointments-to-boards-and-commissions-include-xxxx-of-northern-kentucky/

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