For Immediate Release
March 19, 1999
Contact: Melissa Forsythe or Mark Pfeiffer (502) 564-2611
Governor Spotlights Work of Early Childhood Task Force
Ft. Mitchell, Ky. - Assess the current state of early childhood development, identify the gaps and recommend a 20 year plan to strengthen the wellbeing of children and families in Kentucky, that’s the charge Governor Paul Patton presented today to the newly appointed members of his Early Childhood Task Force.
"When I receive the task force’s recommendations in August, I will work with members of the General Assembly to craft legislation that will begin our journey to support families and communities as they help each child reach his or her full potential," Governor Patton said. "This will not be an easy task," the governor cautioned, "but if we start now, Kentucky will have the opportunity to be first in the nation in preparing our children for the 21st century."
Governor Patton launched his early childhood initiative with the establishment of the Office of Early Childhood Development in April, 1998 and in November, 1998, appointed Dr. Kim Townley, one of the top professionals in the field, to head up the office.
The Governor’s Early Childhood Task Force is a broad-based group of state and private citizens. A list of the members appointed today by the governor is attached.
Following the task force meeting, at a luncheon of early childhood supporters and care-givers, Governor Patton urged the group "to get your ideas and suggestions to the task force members, let your local legislators know how important this issue is to the future of Kentucky, and continue doing the worthy work that you do so well, providing a quality environment in which our youngest citizens will thrive."
After the luncheon, Governor Patton opened a two day conference on early brain development. The conference is being attended by representatives from Head Start, private childcare, public school preschool programs, church sponsored programs, and childcare resource and referral agencies, the business community, county extension, health departments, parent organizations, the faith community, and county and local governments.
Members of the Governor’s Early Childhood Task Force appointed today by Governor Paul Patton are:
- Thomas Burch, State Representative
- Lindy Casebier, State Senator
- Wilmer S. Cody, Ph.D., Commissioner, Department of Education
- Dudley Cooper, Ohio County Judge Executive
- Dennis Cuneo, Vice-President Corporate Affairs, Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.
- Laura M. Douglas, Vice President/General Counsel, Louisville Water Works
- Patricia Walker FitzGerald, Family Circuit Court Judge Three, Jefferson Circuit Court
- Nell P. Horlander, Communication Workers
- Michael B. McCall, Ed.D., President, Kentucky Community & Technical College System
- Gary Mielcarek, Education Program Manager, UPS Public Affairs
- Viola Miller, Ed.D., Secretary, Cabinet for Families and Children
- John H. Morse, Secretary, Cabinet for Health Services
- Gerald A. Neal, State Senator
- Deborah Nunley, Century 21 Partners
- Nicki Patton, Chair
- Frank Rasche, State Representative
- Josephine Richardson, Community Business Person
- Allen D. Rose, Secretary, Workforce Development Cabinet
- Keith N. Sanders, Executive Director, Charitable Foundation, Hager Educational Foundation
- Robert Sexton, Ph.D., Executive Director, The Prichard Committee for Academic
- Paul Smith, Site General Manager, Fidelity Investments
- Robert Stivers, State Senator
- Kim F. Townley, Ph.D., Executive Director, Office of Early Childhood Development
- Susan Westrom, State Representative