[ST. PAUL, MN] – Governor Tim Walz and Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan today announced the following appointments to the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force. Additionally, the Governor and Lt. Governor appointed Shakira Bradshaw (parent representative), Jennifer Moses (Children’s Cabinet representative), and Sandy Simar (early childhood educator representative) as co-chairs of the Task Force.

The Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force was proposed by a group of early care and education advocates, legislators, and the Walz-Flanagan Administration for the purposes of developing a state plan to accomplish the goal that “all families to have access to affordable, high-quality early care and education that enriches, nurtures, and supports children and their families and is provided by qualified, diverse, supported, and equitably compensated early childhood educators regardless of setting.” The Walz-Flanagan Administration will work with the network of stakeholders and advocates who came together to support the Task Force, as well as early care and education providers, to ensure that all families have access to affordable, high-quality early care and education that enriches, nurtures, and supports children and their families.

Lydia Boerboom – Minneapolis, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Kids Count on Us Coalition Representative

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Shakira Bradshaw – Eagan, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Parent of a Child Under Five Years of Age

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Meghan Caine – Culver, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Early Childhood Educator

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Luciana Carballo – Minneapolis, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Family Child Care Program License Holder

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Kath Church – Cass Lake, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Family Child Care Program License Holder

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Barb Fabre – Ogema, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Indigenous Visioning Representative

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Deb Fitzpatrick – St. Louis Park, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Statewide Advocacy Organization that Supports and Promotes Early Childhood Education and Welfare Representative

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Nancy Hafner – Willmar, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Faculty Representative – Early Childhood Education Teacher in a Minnesota Institution of Higher Education

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Pat Ives – Hibbing, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Director of Licensed Child Care Center

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Brook LaFloe – St. Paul, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Representative of a Federally Recognized Tribe with Expertise in the Early Care and Education System

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Adriana Lopez – Belle Plaine, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Early Childhood Educator

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Jennifer Moses – Ham Lake, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Children’s Cabinet Representative

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Suzanne Pearl – St. Paul, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Nationally Recognized Expert in Early Care and Education Financing

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Krystal Shatek – St. Louis Park, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Director of Licensed Child Care Center

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Sandy Simar – Rochester, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Early Childhood Educator

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

Jayne Whiteford – New York Mills, MN

Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

Parent of a Child Under Five Years of Age

Effective: November 24, 2021

Term Expires: February 1, 2023

New Seat

About the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force

The Task Force will be comprised of 11 voting members appointed by the Governor, 4 voting members appointed by legislative leadership, and 22 non-voting members appointed by varying individuals, including state agency staff and the Governor. In making these appointments, the Governor considered community feedback including recommendations from a small panel of external leaders, organized by the Children’s Cabinet, who have worked in or with early childhood and childcare programs.

Additional information about the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force can be found on the Secretary of State’s website or on the Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force webpage .

The Governor and Lieutenant Governor are seeking qualified and diverse individuals who are passionate about using their knowledge, skills, and lived experiences to serve the state of Minnesota. A list of boards and commissions, including open positions, can be found on the Minnesota Secretary of State’s website.