The National Governors Association today announced its new Children and Families Core Advisory Board members for 2023. Each year, a small group of governors’ human services policy advisors and agency leaders are selected to provide critical input and feedback on the structure and content of the NGA Center’s work with the states on human services and early childhood education and care issues. The CAB will support NGA in staying abreast of the most pressing issues affecting states, afford NGA with up-to-date perspectives on governors’ priorities, and provide state leaders with an opportunity to give input on the content of meetings and materials offered by the Children and Families team. The following states are represented on the CAB: Hawai’i, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Utah.
2023 Core Advisory Board Members
- Charles Brereton, Director, Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services
- Justin Brown, Secretary, Oklahoma Human Services
- Elizabeth Groginsky, Secretary, New Mexico Department of Early Childhood Education and Care
- Tracy Gruber, Executive Director, Utah Department of Health and Human Services
- Kristin Guillory, Policy Advisor, Office of North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper
- Stephanie Hogenson, Policy Director, Minnesota Children’s Cabinet
- Brianna Keys, Senior Policy Advisor, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy
- Connelly-Anne Ragley, Director, Communications and External Affairs, South Carolina Department of Social Services
- Malia Taum-Deenik, Legislative Coordinator, Hawai’i Department of Human Services
- Kara Wente, Director, Ohio Governor’s Office of Children’s Initiatives
NGA Partners
- Matt Lyons, Senior Director of Policy and Practice, American Public Human Services Association
- Rachel Mackey, Legislative Director, Human Services and Education, National Association of Counties
- Matt Stagner, Vice President, Mathematica
- Heather Wilson, Senior Policy Specialist, Children and Families, National Conference of State Legislatures
About The Core Advisory Board
The NGA Children and Families team established the Core Advisory Board (CAB) to support state policy efforts and receive input and feedback on governors’ top priorities impacting the lives of children and families. The CAB holds 10 advisory seats for governors’ offices, 5 Republican members and 5 Democratic members, that are selected by the Children and Families team based on participation and involvement with NGA over the past year, with considerations made to ensure a diversity of political thought, background, and perspectives. NGA partner organizations may also participate.
About the Children and Families Program at the NGA Center for Best Practices: Governors and state leaders play a critical role in the protection and support of vulnerable children, families, and individuals. The Children and Families team provides timely and individualized state-focused technical assistance to governors, their human services policy advisors, and state agency leadership to support policy and system improvements that allow children, families, and communities to reach their full potential. With an emphasis on helping states develop equitable opportunities and support for all communities, the Children and Families team aids and enables governors to advance their vision for the children and families in their state. The Children and Families team focuses on issues such as child welfare, economic mobility, housing, juvenile justice, youth mental health, early childhood education and care, and poverty alleviation.
Questions? Please contact Jordan Hynes with any questions – jhynes@nga.org
