ECDataLab Launches to Help Agencies Harness Early Childhood Data for Better Policy and Program Decisions 

Written By Bridget Goldhahn

SACRAMENTO, CA — September 3, 2025 — ECDataLab is a new national organization dedicated to helping government agencies harness early childhood data to drive stronger programs and policy decisions. With a mission to strengthen equity and outcomes for children and families, ECDataLab provides people-centered coaching, multi-agency cohort learning, and applied analytics development for early childhood leaders. After commencing its first program in July, the group is now officially introducing itself to the public with the launch of its website. 

 A New Model for Early Childhood Data Support 

Unlike efforts that focus solely on building technical infrastructure, ECDataLab emphasizes responsive analytics that leverage integrated data systems at any stage of development. Its approach is grounded in collaborative capacity building and ensuring that agency teams have the tools, governance models, and internal expertise necessary to translate data into actionable insights. 

 “Accurate, actionable data is essential to creating early childhood systems that truly meet the needs of children and families,” said Missy Coffey, Ph.D., Executive Director of ECDataLab. “Our work is designed to help agencies move beyond data collection, so they can confidently use integrated data to inform decisions that have long-term impact.” 

 ECDataLab builds on nearly a decade of success from ECDataWorks, which since 2016 has partnered with agencies to strengthen their ability to use integrated early childhood data. 

 The organization launches under the leadership of Missy Coffey, Ph.D., who previously served as co–Principal Investigator for ECDataWorks. Coffey brings a career’s worth of experience as a teacher, administrator, researcher, and national leader in early learning data standards and integration. 

 ECDataLab is guided by an inaugural Board of Directors, bringing together leaders from education, law, philanthropy, and research: Kate Fuentes – Board Chair, Deputy General Counsel, General Counsel for a financial services company; Ana Echemendia – Treasurer, former Associate VP, Applied Engineering Management; Quinn Tivey – Secretary, Executive Officer, Elizabeth Taylor AIDS Foundation; Kathy Thornburg, Ph.D. – Board Member, Professor Emerita, University of Missouri 

 Launching the First Analytic Readiness Cohort 

 ECDataLab’s first initiative, the Analytic Readiness Cohort, began in July 2025. This cohort is designed to help agency teams—at all levels of experience—establish or strengthen the foundation for ECIDS development. Participants will clarify goals and policy priorities, align data efforts with governance and technical capacity; build tools and action plans for sustainable analytics. By the end of the program, each agency team will have what they need to begin developing actionable analytics from integrated data. 

A Collaborative Future 

 ECDataLab’s philosophy is rooted in facilitated co-development, expert coaching, cohort-based learning, and individualized support. Through these methods, agencies gain not only technical capacity but also shared knowledge across jurisdictions, accelerating collective progress nationwide. 

 “ECDataLab is built on the belief that assuring high-quality early childhood care education is critical for American families,” said Ana Echemendia, Founding Board Treasurer. “I am excited to join a board of passionate, yet practical, leaders who will help guide the organization to realize its vision of an Early Childhood sector that makes thoughtful and informed decisions that constantly improve outcomes for our youngest learners.” 

 How to Get Involved with ECDataLab 

  • Agencies & Teams: Join cohorts for coaching, peer learning, and applied analytics support. 

  • Foundations & Funders: Advance impact by investing in cohorts, convenings, and new initiatives. 

  • Partner Organizations: Collaborate on events, projects, and shared capacity building. 

About ECDataLab 

 ECDataLab helps agencies harness early childhood data to drive better program and policy decisions through integrated systems, applied analytics, and collaborative capacity building. Launched in 2025, ECDataLab provides individualized coaching and multi-agency, cohort-based learning experiences to strengthen agencies’ ability to use data effectively and sustainably. 

For more information, visit www.ecdatalab.org. 

Bridget Goldhahn