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About
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Who We Are
Meet the individuals who make up The Council for Thriving Children.
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What We're Up To
Learn about our vision, and strategies to improve the welfare of children and families in New Hampshire.
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Who We Are
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Meetings
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Attend a Meeting
Join upcoming Council meetings and plan ahead through our public agendas.
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View Past Meetings
Stay up-to-date by reviewing past meeting agendas.
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Meeting Materials
Explore slides, notes and recordings from our past meetings.
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Attend a Meeting
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What We're Learning
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NH Data & Initiatives
Look at New Hampshire data and initiatives to address child and family well-being.
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Early Childhood Research
Find up-to-date research to inform policy and practice here.
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NH Data & Initiatives
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Contact
Who We Are
Established in 2020 by Governor Sununu
New Hampshire's Early Childhood Council
The Council for Thriving Children was established in 2020 by Executive Order 2020-03 to guide New Hampshire's Early Childhood Care & Education (ECCE) governance system. The system includes four main quadrants: Department of Education, Department of Health and Human Services, B-8 Parent Advisors, and the Early Childhood Scientific Advisory Panel.
Supporting children in many ways
Co-led by the state’s Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education, the Council, appointed by the Governor, includes family member advocates, early childhood experts, health care leaders, state legislators, business leaders, and Commissioners from other state agencies who have come together to enhance the well-being of young children and families in New Hampshire.
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Christine Brennan
Council Co-Chair; Deputy Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Education
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Christine Santaniello
Council Co-Chair; Associate Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
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Dr. Jess Carson
Early Childhood Scientific Advisory Panel Lead; Director, Center for Social Policy in Practice; Research Assistant Professor, UNH Carsey School of Public Policy
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Athena Cote
NH DHHS Early Childhood Integration Team Lead; Administrator, Division of Public Health Services
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Michelle Lewis
B-8 Family and Community Advisors Lead; Executive Director, Parent Information Center
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Alexa Simmons
NHED Early Chilhood Integration Team Lead; Education Consultant, Preschool 619 Co-Coordinator, New Hampshire Department of Education
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Jeanne Agri
CEO, Community Action Program Belknap-Merrimack Counties, Inc. (CAPBMI)
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Hon. Susan Ashley
Deputy Administrative Judge for New Hampshire Circuit Court
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Jane Bard
President & CEO, The Children's Museum of New Hampshire
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Kate Baker Demers
Executive Director, Children's Scholarship Fund New Hampshire
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Debra DeSimone
Representative from District 14, New Hampshire House of Representatives
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Laurie Foster
Deputy Director of Community Corrections & Programs, New Hampshire Department of Corrections
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Shawn Jasper
Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture
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Richard Lavers
Deputy Commissioner, New Hampshire Employment Security
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Janelle Lavin
Administrator II, Preschool 619 Co-Coordinator New Hampshire Department of Education
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DeeAnn Pouliot
Managing Director, New Hampshire Housing Finance Authority
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Matthew Robblee
Captain, Clinical Systems: Trauma, STEMI, Stroke, Protocols and MIH Programs, NH Department of Safety
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Sarah Stewart
Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Natural and Cultural Resources
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Rebecca Woitkowski
Parent Representative; Child and Family Policy Director, New Futures
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Dr. Stephen Zadravec
Superintendent, New Hampshire SAU #52
