Rebecca Planchard is the Senior Early Childhood Policy Advisor for the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. In this role she works collaboratively with DHHS leadership, other state agencies, non-governmental organizations, and families across North Carolina to develop and take action on statewide goals for early childhood. She is the lead on the state’s Early Childhood Action Plan, and also directs the state’s Early Childhood Integrated Data System (ECIDS).

Prior to joining DHHS, Rebecca served as the Early Childhood Policy Associate for the Chicago Mayor’s Office, where she coordinated citywide outreach efforts for preschool enrollment, and worked to advance the Mayor’s early education priorities. She also brings experience as an instructional coach for preschool, elementary, and middle school teachers in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. Rebecca started her professional career in service as a bilingual kindergarten teacher in Fort Worth, Texas. Rebecca is originally from Durham, North Carolina. She is a graduate of Duke University with a BA in Spanish, history, and political science, Magna Cum Laude, and the University of Chicago with a master’s degree in public policy and a certificate in municipal finance.