Adopted: October 2025
Revised:
Download 801.16AR - Early Childhood Family Services Advisory Council
1. Purpose – The purpose of the Early Childhood Family Services Advisory Council (ECFS Advisory Council) is to advise and assist the Early Childhood Family Services Department (ECFS) in the fulfillment of its mission of providing quality learning opportunities and resources for parents/guardians and their children from birth up to kindergarten. The ECFS Advisory Council supports Early Childhood Family Education, Connections Preschool and Family School.
2. Role
2.1 The ECFS Advisory Council receives reports and gives input and advice concerning the programming, goals and objectives of the Early Childhood Family Services program in District 196.
2.2 The ECFS Advisory Council services as a liaison between the ECFS program and the community.
2.3 The ECFS Advisory Council serves as an advocate for high quality ECFS programs, including through advocacy with legislators on behalf of ECFS.
2.4 The ECFS Advisory Council organizes community events and fundraising activities on behalf of ECFS.
3. Membership
3.1 The ECFS Advisory Council is comprised of up to 24 individuals with a shared interest in early childhood education.
3.2 To be eligible to serve on the ECFS Advisory Council, an applicant must be a stakeholder of District 196. Stakeholders include parents/guardians of District 196 students, residents, District 196 employees, business owners in District 196, District 196 high school students and members of collaborative agencies providing service to District 196 students. A majority of the ECFS Advisory Council must be parents participating in the program, who represent the demographics of the community. To the extent possible, the council will include representation of families who are racially, culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse.
3.2 The early childhood family services program manager serves as an ex-officio member of the ECFS Advisory Council.
3.3 Member terms begin in August and are for three years. Members shall be eligible to renew their term.
3.4 New members are selected by a vote of the ECFS Manager, Current Co-chairs, and Council members.
4. Meetings
4.1 The ECFS Advisory Council holds a monthly meeting September through May, as determined by the ECFS, and members communicate electronically between meetings.
4.2 ECFS Advisory Council meetings are publicized on the district website.
4.3 ECFS Advisory Council meetings are open to the public. The ECFS Advisory Council may, at its discretion, permit members of the public to address the ECFS Advisory Council.
4.4 The early childhood family services program manager ensures that minutes are taken at each meeting and maintains a copy in district records.
References:
- Minnesota Statute 142D.10, Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE) Programs