Our Work > SmartBabies Initiative > Steering Committee

SmartBabies Steering Committee Members

  • Mayor Jim Bush, City of Waco, SmartBabies Steering Committee Chairman
  • Betty Bauer, Community Volunteer, Waco Foundation Trustee
  • Pam Briggs, McLennan Community College Child Development Instructor
  • Dr. Roland Goertz, MD, MBA Waco Family Health Center Chief Executive Officer
  • Dr. Carole Hanks, RN, Psychiatric/Mental Health
  • Debra Jones, Head Start/Early Head Start Program Director
  • Stewart Kelly, Kelly Realtors, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce Board Chairman
  • Dr. Terri Patterson, WISD Executive Director of Elementary Education & Professional Development
  • Sherry Williams, RNC, WHNP Waco-McLennan County Public Health District Director 

Steering Committee Composition

Our community is one of great need, but also one of wealthy resources. The work of the SmartBabies Steering Committee has rich implications for the children of our community, who require a committee that represents a multitude of organizations and fields. The goal is to have representatives from healthcare, business, general community, as well as a home visitation expert, evaluation expert, early childhood and child development expert and a trustee of Waco Foundation’s board.

Committee Charge

Be fully informed of the findings in the Early Childhood Quality of Life Report.

Advise the development and implementation of a strategic plan that will raise the Early Childhood Quality of Life Index by 10% within five years and 25% within 10 years in McLennan County, specifically focusing on efforts to improve conditions in all zip codes where the Quality of Life Index is below the County’s overall score of 41.67%.

Oversee the plan to measure progress in the community.

Promote the work of the SmartBabies Initiative in Greater Waco.