The South Carolina Early Childhood Advisory Council (ECAC) was created under the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, which required states to establish advisory councils to improve the coordination and quality of early childhood services.
Following this federal mandate, the ECAC was initially formed by Executive Order in 2010. Its role was further solidified in 2014 when the council’s provisions were enacted into state law. On June 19, 2023 Governor Henry McMaster signed H. 4023 into law, granting permanent authorization to South Carolina First Steps and its role as the managing agency of the ECAC. This legislation also updated the council’s membership structure and clarified its duties.
The council’s statutory functions are outlined in S.C. Code Ann. Sections 63-11-1725 and 63-11-1726.