The Rhode Island Early Learning Council In June of 2010, Governor Carcieri established a 24 member Early Learning Council to work to ensure that Rhode Island children have access to high quality early learning experiences in a variety of settings.  The Council's Co-Chairs are Education Commissioner Deborah A. Gist and Elizabeth Burke Bryant, Executive Director of Rhode Island KIDS COUNT. The appointment of a state Early Learning Council is a provision of the federal 2007 Head Start Reauthorization Act. The Early Learning Council will facilitate the development and enhancement of high quality systems of early childhood education and care, from birth to age 8, with the goal of improving school readiness and success in school. The Council will develop a state plan that will seek to align resources to support high quality early care and education services and to improve coordination and collaboration among multiple agencies, organizations, and programs. The Council's Co-Chairs have appointed a Work Group to assist the Council with its work.  Additional information on the Early Learning Council can be found here: www.earlylearningri.org