Governor Kelly Announces Kansas Office of Early Childhood Implementation Team Jo

Overview

Governor Laura Kelly announced the appointment of an interagency transition team and transition director to oversee the implementation of House Bill 2045, which consolidates early childhood services and programs into the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. Passed by the Kansas Legislature and signed by Governor Kelly in April of this year, House Bill 2045 is the most consequential early childhood education and care legislation enacted in Kansas in the last 15 years.

Transition Director and Leadership

Zach Vincent, currently Governor Kelly’s Director of Governmental Affairs—Education Policy, will now also serve as transition director for the Office of Early Childhood. The transition director role will be part of the Governor’s Office, working as an interagency convener tasked with transferring programs to the Office of Early Childhood, and managing the interagency transition team.

“Zach Vincent has been an integral part of my administration for the past four years. Thanks to his commitment, we have passed legislation that will transform Kansas’ early childhood system,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I am confident that his passion and deep knowledge will serve Kansas children and families well as he takes on this role.”

Vincent joined the Kelly administration in 2021 and has overseen policy and legislative affairs for all education-related issues during this time. As Director of Governmental Affairs—Education Policy, he led the multi-year, collaborative effort with the Kansas Legislature to pass House Bill 2045 and establish the Office of Early Childhood. Vincent holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis.

“I’m honored to continue my service in the Kelly administration and to the people of Kansas as the Office of Early Childhood transition director,” said Zach Vincent. “I am confident that the Office will build on our administration’s efforts to increase access to high-quality, affordable early childhood services while also ensuring greater government efficiency and a streamlined system for Kansas families, providers, and businesses.”

Transition Team

The Office of Early Childhood transition team will consist of leadership from eight state agencies and will include cabinet-level officials and early childhood program staff. The interagency team is statutorily required to assist with the process of consolidating programs into the Office of Early Childhood.

Members of the transition team include:

• Agency: Governor’s Office; First Name Zach; Last Name Vincent; Position Transition Director; Director of Governmental Affairs—Education Policy
• Agency: Governor’s Office; First Name Kate; Last Name Davis; Position Deputy Chief of Staff for Cabinet Affairs
• Agency: Kansas Department of Administration; First Name Adam; Last Name Proffitt; Position Secretary and Director of Budget
• Agency: Kansas Department of Administration; First Name Samir; Last Name Arif; Position Chief of Staff
• Agency: Kansas Department of Administration; First Name Lynette; Last Name Bakker; Position Attorney
• Agency: Kansas Division of Budget; First Name Jen; Last Name Ordiway; Position Budget Analyst
• Agency: Kansas Office of Information Technology Services; First Name Jeff; Last Name Maxon; Position Chief Information Technology Officer
• Agency: Kansas Department for Children and Families; First Name Laura; Last Name Howard; Position Secretary
• Agency: Kansas Department for Children and Families; First Name Carla; Last Name Whiteside-Hicks; Position Economic and Employment Services Director
• Agency: Kansas Department for Children and Families; First Name Daniel; Last Name Lewien; Position Deputy Secretary
• Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment; First Name Janet; Last Name Stanek; Position Secretary
• Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment; First Name Ashley; Last Name Goss; Position Deputy Secretary
• Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment; First Name Derik; Last Name Flerlage; Position Bureau Director
• Agency: Kansas Department of Health and Environment; First Name Amy; Last Name Penrod; Position Director
• Agency: Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund; First Name Melissa; Last Name Rooker; Position Director
• Agency: Kansas Department of Education; First Name Amanda; Last Name Petersen; Position Director of Early Childhood
• Agency: Kansas Department of Education; First Name John; Last Name Hess; Position Director of Fiscal Services and Operations

House Bill 2045 consolidates nearly 20 existing state programs serving young children and families into the Office of Early Childhood. The Office, which will officially open in mid-2026, will house child care licensing; child care subsidy and home visitation programs; and the Kansas Children’s Cabinet and Trust Fund. The Office will be led by a director appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Kansas Senate. The Governor’s Office will undertake a search for the office’s permanent director throughout the fall and announce an appointee by January 2026.

More information on the Office of Early Childhood can be found here.

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