Early Care & Learning Council

09/01/2026

This back-to-school season, supporting young children ages 0–5 means remembering to support the adults who show up for them, too. And as children head back to classrooms and child care settings, we’re thinking about the caregivers who make those environments work by supporting our youngest learners every day, in every setting.

Today, ECLC is excited to announce the release of our newest white paper exploring Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) and its role in supporting caregivers of young children.

IECMH takes a relationship-based approach to strengthening caregiver capacity, supporting relational well-being, and addressing the stress caregivers experience by recognizing that when we support the adults, we also strengthen the relationships at the heart of young children’s development.

Our new white paper explores what this can mean for caregivers across all settings and modalities of care, and why supporting the people who care for our youngest learners deserves a place in the conversation.

Read the new IECMH white paper here: https://bit.ly/4zKAaoJ

08/27/2026

Child Care Council, Inc. CEO Rose Shufelt spoke beside Congressman Joe Morelle and distinguished colleagues as he unveiled his Childcare Affordability Agenda in support of parents, child care programs, and providers.

View more here: https://morelle.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-joe-morelle-unveils-childcare-affordability-agenda-lower-costs

08/19/2026

Our staff had the opportunity to attend the NYS Pyramid Model Summit, connecting with early childhood professionals from across New York State.

The Pyramid Model is a framework that promotes positive relationships, supportive learning environments, and effective strategies for fostering children’s social-emotional skills. For more information visit: https://ccf.ny.gov/pyramid-model/

08/11/2026

We would like to say farewell to our IECMH Data Analyst, Sam Brotmann; Child Care Supply Coordinator, Budhan Ramcharan; and Director of Professional Development, Brooke Ricci.

While it was a sweet end with our ice cream social send-off, we will miss all that you do. We wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors.

07/28/2026

Take a moment to share your thoughts with our partners at Hunger Solutions New York.

📝⤵️ https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdYG2HAshKDQGewEt2D69fc1yBnB9Oan07NqZu5yt2uk516ZA/viewform

You can help shape our 2027 anti-hunger policy priorities.

Thanks to your partnership and engagement, New York has made significant investments in anti-hunger programs over the past few years. But federal cuts to SNAP are already harming New Yorkers struggling to put food on the table and will continue to increase food insecurity.

Share your thoughts on how we can work together to ensure our state protects food access for all New Yorkers.

➡️Visit the link in the comments to take our survey and please share with your community.

07/23/2026

ECLC's Director of Child Care Supply, Andria Ryberg, presented at the National Association for Family Child Care conference.

This space offered an opportunity to share expertise, contribute to national conversations, and connect with professionals dedicated to strengthening child care.

07/14/2026

Looking for your next opportunity? Early Care & Learning Council is currently hiring a Membership and Events Specialist.

Learn more and apply today at: https://earlycareandlearning.org/job-opportunities/

07/08/2026

The School Mental Health Resource and Training (SMHRT) Center is dedicated to ensuring that conversations about mental wellness take place throughout the year and aim to provide families with the tools to have critical conversations with their children about mental wellbeing.

Each year, the SMHRT Center hosts a Summer Movie Weekend, during which a movie about mental health is made available to families for free. All who register also receive a discussion guide based on issues raised in the movie, to help them talk about mental health with the children in their lives.

This year’s Summer Movie is IF (2024), which tells the story of a young girl who goes through a difficult experience and begins to see everyone's imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up. View trailer here: https://youtu.be/mb2187ZQtBE?si=JK8CqnWuX0eWRHTy

This year, the SMHRT Center is offering the Summer Movie for a week (July 17-24) and making it available to summer schools, camps, libraries and any institution working with children. Click here to register and if you are interested in showing the movie in your Summer program, email [email protected]. Register here: https://www.mentalhealthednys.org/events

06/29/2026

The Hummingbird Award, inspired by the Indigenous folktale of the hummingbird and the forest fire, honors those whose quiet acts of care create lasting impact across our field.

This year, we proudly recognized two outstanding awardees: Jami Flynn and Traci Decker.

Jami Flynn was recognized for her dedication, compassion, and unwavering support of providers and staff. Colleagues shared how Jami goes beyond identifying challenges by offering hands-on support, resources, encouragement, and guidance that help others grow and succeed. Her positivity, flexibility, and genuine care truly reflect the spirit of the Hummingbird Award.

Traci Decker was honored for the steady, strengths-based support she brings to children, caregivers, educators, and programs through Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. Known as a calming and trusted presence, Traci leads with empathy, encouragement, and deep commitment to the communities she serves.

We also celebrate this year’s nominees:
Kathleen Harland
Morgan Knapp
Tara Mullen
Sheila Tumiel
Lillieth Zuckerman

Thank you all for the heart, dedication, and care you bring to this work every day.

06/26/2026

As spring comes to an end and we enter summer, the Early Care & Learning Council would like to congratulate two of our team members on their recognitions.

Our Senior Director of Policy and Community Education, Jess Klos Shapiro, was recognized in City & State’s Above & Beyond: Women list. This well-deserved honor reflects Jess’s leadership, dedication, and commitment to advancing policies and initiatives that strengthen opportunities for children, families, and communities across New York.

Our ECE Workforce Supports Associate, Niyah Booker, was recognized in City & States 40 Under 40 list. This honor reflects her dedication and commitment to strengthening New York's early childhood education workforce.

We are grateful for their continued impact and proud to celebrate these achievements.