Governor Greg Abbott announced on Apr. 10 the appointment of eight individuals to the Early Childhood Intervention Advisory Committee. The appointments include Rachel C. Bowden, Cynthia D. Lee, Ed.D., and Allison P. Wilson, who were reappointed for terms expiring February 1, 2031, as well as new appointees Rebeca Ciesielski, Susana Perez, and Jennifer Villarreal, Ed.D., also serving until that date. Mandy Young and Representative Alan Schoolcraft were appointed for terms ending February 1, 2029.
The committee advises the Texas Health and Human Services Commission Division for Early Childhood Intervention Services on policies related to the statewide ECI system. This work supports families and children with developmental needs across Texas.
The appointees bring diverse backgrounds in education, public service, advocacy, and law. Bowden is director of regulatory initiatives at the Texas Department of Insurance; Lee is an educational diagnostician at Prosper Independent School District; Wilson serves as deputy director in childcare and early learning at the Texas Workforce Commission; Ciesielski is president of the Texas Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders Network; Perez coordinates a parent program at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley; Villarreal works as an educational diagnostician and assistant professor at Dallas Baptist University; Young manages special education technical assistance for the Texas Education Agency; Schoolcraft is an attorney who previously served in the Texas House from 1981-1993.
Greg Abbott holds the position of the 48th governor leading the Texas Governor’s office according to the official website. The Office of the Governor acts as executive branch leader by promoting economic opportunity, education and public safety while making appointments such as these to state boards according to its official website. The office also advances cultural understanding through commissions supporting opportunities for women and people with disabilities according to its official website.
The Governor’s Mansion has been home to governors since it was established in 1856. It stands today as both a historic Greek Revival structure and one of America’s oldest continuously occupied governor’s residences according to its official website.
Looking ahead, these appointments are expected to help shape early childhood intervention policy across Texas by providing expertise from various fields.
