Recognizing that social and academic success is shaped long before students enter the elementary school classroom, states are working to increase access to high-quality early childhood programs. Supporting that work, Early Childhood Integrated Data Systems (ECIDS) allow agencies and programs to efficiently collect and use robust information about state and local early childhood programs, workforce, and child outcomes. As states work to integrate information across these programs--including state preschool programs, Head Start and Early Head Start, Early Intervention, Preschool Special Education, and private programs--data governance is critical to success. Data governance provides a means to establish a common vision for early childhood data use in the state, with key policy and program decisions supporting that vision. Further, when data governance is effectively established, the quality and security of data collected, reported, and used by early childhood programs and agencies is enhanced; staff burden is reduced; and communication, collaboration, and relationships across the various agencies, programs, and information technology (IT) staff is improved. This introduction defines data governance for an ECIDS, identifies who should be involved in it, and describes their roles and responsibilities. It is intended to support states in beginning the process of developing their early childhood data governance. (author abstract)