State of Colorado partners have prioritized the importance of developmental screening activities for children involved with child welfare. It is in State Statute that “The appropriate county department of human or social services shall refer each child under five years of age who is the subject of a substantiated case of abuse or neglect to the appropriate state or local agency for developmental screening within sixty days after abuse or neglect has been substantiated”. The Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (CAPTA) is specific to children birth-through age two with a founded case of abuse and/or neglect and requires a referral be made to early intervention for developmental screening.
As part of the CAPTA & Beyond workgroup, The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), Colorado Department of Education (CDE), local early intervention programs, public health, child welfare, and public school representatives have identified barriers to successful screening in addition to promising practices at the local level. These partners are working collaboratively to support developmental screening efforts for children birth-five that have a founded case of abuse and/or neglect. In Colorado this is approximately 3,700 children a year.
When developmental delays are identified before the age of five, children can benefit from services to help reach developmental milestones and prevent the need for future services. The workgroup has set a goal for 100% of children under the age of five who are found to have experienced abuse and/or neglect to be referred for developmental screening.
Resulting in:
 Utilizing this approach for children up to the age of 5 will support children who may not have had access to or needed a screening or services at a younger age.
Through the utilization of Preschool Development Grant funds, the CAPTA & Beyond Workgroup has contracted with the Public Consulting Group to collect data, evaluate the cost for implementation of community screening solutions, and develop a report outlining recommendations. $75,000 of grant funding was procured through the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) to support the research and recommendations. These activities will take place across counties and state departments to develop practices that benefit all children who this applies to.
To learn more about the work being done, please contact Lenita Hartman, EI (Early Intervention) Deputy Program Manager.
 Child Care Construction Guidebooks Available on CDEC Website
The CDEC is pleased to share child care construction guides that are available on the CDEC website. The purpose of the Child Care Construction Guidebooks is to inform and assist in navigating the many layers of construction projects as they relate to building and or expanding child care. Family child care home and center based providers as well as those considering constructing a child care facility will benefit from these reference guides. Each guide is tailored specifically to the unique landscape of Child Care in the State of Colorado.
https://cdec.colorado.gov/support-resources-and-guides
 Farm to Child
In June, engage children in outdoor education with nature scavenger hunts to explore colors and shapes. Utilize local fruits like strawberries, cherries, and raspberries, rich in nutrients, as healthy snacks. This month’s Farm to Child newsletter includes a Colorado Blast Smoothie recipe, as well as links to resources to support activities at your site.
Colorado Fatherhood Program - Supporting Colorado Dads
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is empowering Colorado fathers and father figures to build healthy parent-child relationships through the Colorado Fatherhood Program—a five-year, $7.5 million federally funded initiative.
This grant funds seven programs in nine locations across Colorado to support fathers and father figures in growing their parenting knowledge, strengthening their family relationships, working towards financial well being, and navigating programs such as child support.
Our grantee sites offer a free, 12-session workshop where fathers and father figures learn healthy co-parenting and nurturing parenting skills, how to be more active in their children's lives, network with other dads, and receive connections to resources (such as legal aid, or job training). One-on-one coaching from local fatherhood advocates is also available. All services are voluntary, and targeted to fathers and father-figures over the age of 18, with a child or children under the age of 24.
Download the flyer to learn more about the Colorado Fatherhood Program or to make a referral to a local program.
ECMH Unit Updates
Thank You for Raising Awareness of Children’s Mental Health
A big thanks for your support during Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, May 5th - 11th! This annual event offers an important opportunity to raise awareness that young children and babies have mental health and benefit tremendously when the important adults in their lives support their healthy social-emotional development and mental health.
A special thanks to Governor Jared Polis for issuing a Proclamation urging Coloradans to observe this awareness week and for sharing a video message, together with Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director for the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “During this awareness week,” Governor Polis said, “as well as always, we encourage you to take care of your own wellbeing, as well as those around you.”
Annual Meeting of Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants
Early Childhood Mental Health Consultants from across Colorado gathered last month for an annual in-person retreat. The consultants, who have expertise in both mental health and early childhood development, equip families and early childhood professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to support their own well-being and the mental health of the children they care for. Consultant teams had the opportunity to work together and network with colleagues. They also heard from local and national speakers on an array of central topics, including cultivating resilience in relationships, creating shared power, and practicing inclusion in linguistically diverse communities, and creating a shared vision. A special thank you to presenters:
- Kadija Johnston, Consultant, Center of Excellence for Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
- May Alice Cohen, Chief Program Officer, Colorado Department of Early Childhood
- Dr. Rosemarie Allen, President and CEO, Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence
- Constant Hine, President, Horizons in Learning
- Rosa Guzman-Snyder and Indira Guzman, Co-founders, Community Language Cooperative
Visit MentalHealthStartsEarly.com to learn more.
 SSBI Unit Updates
No-cost Business Consultation and Training for Child Care Providers
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) business experts are available to meet one-on-one with child care center and family child care home professionals to discuss their business needs, including budget concerns, emergency planning, technical assistance, and more. Consultation is available in English and Spanish. This service is offered at no cost to providers! Find the local SBDC offering this service in your county.
Registration is now open for the business training below, and new trainings are added regularly.
This work is responsive to Colorado Shines Brighter strategy 5.1.2 Business Practices.
3rd Annual Southern Colorado Early Childhood Business Conference
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) in partnership with Southern Colorado Small Business Development Center, and Children First, Pueblo’s Early Childhood Council hosted the 3rd annual Colorado Early Childhood Business Conference in Pueblo, CO on April 27th. The event brought together passionate child care providers for a day of professional development and networking. Attendees had the opportunity to delve into key topics surrounding early childhood education and business management, gaining insights and resources from industry experts. The conference featured presentations from CDEC staff, including the Licensing Team, Bilingual Licensing Team, Workforce Development Unit, State Systems Building Initiatives Unit, and Local Coordinating Organization Unit.
This work is responsive to Colorado Shines Brighter strategy 5.1.2 Business Practices.
Local Organizational Capacity All-Grantee Convening
The Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Local Organizational Capacity (LOC) All-Grantee Convening took place on April 29th and 30th in Colorado Springs. This convening was an opportunity for local early childhood organizations (all recipients of the 2023 LOC Supporting Families with Infants/Toddlers Planning Mini-Grant) to come together and share about the work happening in their communities through the grant. The event was hosted by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) State Systems Building Initiatives Unit staff. Many CDEC leaders and staff were in attendance to learn from local communities, build relationships, and share about how their work connects with local community goals for supporting families with infants and toddlers. Lisa Matter from the Child Care State Capacity Building Center’s Infant/Toddler Specialist Network facilitated the convening.
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