Local appointed to governor's early childhood board

SANTA FE – Lula Mae Brown, director of Early Childhood Services for Clovis’ ENMRSH, Inc., has been appointed to the state’s Early Childhood Education and Care Advisory Council.

The council has a goal of creating “a more cohesive, equitable, and family-centered early childhood education and care system in New Mexico,” according to a news release from Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham.

This council replaces an Early Learning Advisory Council. The new council meets federal requirements to have a state advisory early childhood council.

In addition, the new council aligns with the state Early Childhood and Care Department’s (ECECD) five-year strategic plan, the news release stated.

The council’s members include several state government officials, along with

• Zach Ben, parent representative

• Rob Black, president, New Mexico Chamber of Commerce

• Robert Chavez, CEO of Youth Development Incorporated

• Daisey Lira, city council woman, Sunland Park

• Brian Luck, superintendent, Roswell Independent School District

• Dr. Cynthia Martinez, assistant dean of early childhood for Western New Mexico University

• Lakersha Martinez, Bridges to Opportunity director, Growing Up New Mexico

• Dr. Corrine Sanchez, executive director for Tewa Women United

• Crystal Tapia-Romero, owner/operator of New Mexico Early Learning Academy

• Amber Wallin, executive director for New Mexico Voices for Children

• Teresa Quintana, vice president of HELP New Mexico, Incorporated

The executive order establishing the council is available by visiting https://www.governor.state.nm.us/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/

Executive-Order-2022-163.pdf.