During fall 2007, the NGA Center surveyed states regarding the presence and nature of state early childhood coordinating councils, which may exist as Early Learning Councils, Task Forces, Children's Cabinets, Interagency Coordinating Councils, etc. For brevity, these coordinating entities are referred to below as Early Childhood Advisory Councils (ECACs). The survey data will inform the NGA Center's support activities for governor's policy advisors and ECAC leaders, including policy briefs, quarterly conference calls, and a policy retreat in 2008. This Backgrounder offers a summary snapshot of the survey results.