We recently brought together our 2016-17 Early Head Start/Head Start/Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) Policy Council at a retreat at Icicle Lodge Resort in Leavenworth, Wash. Our council plays a pivotal role in Children’s Home Society of Washington’s early learning programs.

The council is comprised of parents who have children enrolled in our early learning programs and community members. They oversee the budget and help set the direction of the Early Head Start/Head Start/ECEAP programs in Eastern and Western Washington.

In 2013, the council expanded to include members representing the Washington state-funded Pre-K program called ECEAP, which supports some enrollment slots at the Early Learning Center at Highline in Des Moines.

At the retreat, the council received information about the history and structure of Children's Home Society of Washington and our early learning programs, learned about how to run a council meeting and explored what topics will be discussed during the year.

As always, we have a great group of parents and community members participating in the council this year, and I look forward to working with them.

Cindy Berg serves as the director of services in South King County.