DUNCAN NAMES MCCART AS EARLY CHILDHOOD SERVICE CHIEF

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Contact: David Weaver or
Mary Anderson, 240-777-6530

DUNCAN NAMES MCCART
AS EARLY CHILDHOOD
SERVICE CHIEF

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2000

Montgomery County Executive Douglas M. Duncan today named Linda McCart to serve as the County's new Chief for Early Childhood Services.

McCart, who currently serves as the special projects director of the Ohio Department of Mental Health, will report to Charles L. Short, director of the County's Department of Health and Human Services. She will also work closely with Montgomery County Public School's Superintendent Jerry L. Weast, serving as a member of his executive staff and with the Montgomery County Collaboration Council for Children,Youth and Families.

McCart's duties will include leading the Early Childhood Initiative in implementing the integration of public and private early childhood services in the County. In addition, she will work with MCPS to integrate existing MCPS early childhood programs (i.e., Head Start, the Extended Elementary Education Program and the Preschool Education Program), into the early Childhood Services model.

"The early years of a child's life are so important and I'm delighted to have. Linda lead this important effort," said County Executive Douglas M. Duncan. "She is highly qualified and her experience and knowledge in the areas related to early childhood development will be invaluable as we look for ways to further integrate services to meet the needs of Montgomery County's children."

"We have a great opportunity move to move the Early Childhood agenda forward so that all young children in Montgomery County have the opportunity to succeed," said Dr. Weast. "Ms. McCart's appointment will help all of us bring together the resources we need to make a lasting difference in preparing young children for their first school experience."

"I'm ecstatic that the County Executive has brought on board a person of such high quality, with great experience and qualifications," said County Council President Michael Subin. "I'm happy we're moving forward on this extremely important initiative."

"Montgomery County is extremely fortunate to have a professional of Ms. McCart's caliber and experience," said Lorraine Rogstad, director of the Collaboration Council. "She has extensive experience in the early childhood domain, including home visiting, child care, early childhood mental health, Head Start and other issues impacting children's readiness for school."

Currently a resident of Columbus, Ohio, McCart received her bachelor of science degree from Southwestern State University, her masters in social work from the University of Oklahoma and her juris doctor degree from Oklahoma City University.

McCart was selected after a national search and the interview process included school, community and local government participants. Her appointment is subject to County Council approval. She is scheduled to begin her duties on January 2, 2001.

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