In the late 1970’s, a group of Frederick County’s early childhood advocates joined together to form the Committee for Interagency Articulation for Children (CIAC). The goal of the committee was to raise awareness for quality child care. Led by Iris Zimmerman and Dorothy Egbert, the group also included representatives from Hood College, Seton Center, and other local programs.
Under the wing of the Frederick County Mental Health Association, the CIAC later transitioned to become the Frederick County Interagency Early Childhood Committee (IECC).
Composed of early childhood professionals from all disciplines, the committee focused on creating new activities to raise awareness of the importance of quality child care and education. Such activities included an annual child care provider recognition event, the Children’s Festival, and a bus ride for local legislators to visit child care sites.
In the mid-2000’s, the IECC became a subcommittee of the Local Management Board within the Division of Family Services of Frederick County Government. Thanks to this connection, the influence of the IECC is stronger and more widespread in the county.
Most recently, the State of Maryland invited groups from different jurisdictions to apply to become part of the Early Childhood Advisory Councils (ECAC). The IECC applied for and was awarded this distinction, allowing for greater interaction with other Maryland groups and access to state-level funding for projects.