|
In this Issue:
 Celebrating Colorado Department of Early Education's Second Anniversary
🎉🌟 Celebrating a Milestone! 🌟🎉
Today marks the 2nd anniversary of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, founded in 2022. Thank you to all who have supported us on this incredible journey of nurturing and empowering our youngest Coloradans!
Here's to many more years of ensuring every child gets the best start in life. 💕
We loved hearing your Universal Preschool stories and would love to hear about your experiences with the CDEC over the last two years.
Share your experiences here: http://bit.ly/CDECStories
Universal Preschool Updates
Second Family Matching Deadline This Week!
There is still time for eligible children to register for up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool in their year before kindergarten for the upcoming 2024-25 School Year! Those who register on or before 5pm on July 3 will be matched with one of their top choice providers in July’s final family matching round! Families will be notified of their match by July 23rd.
Eligible children will still have an opportunity to register for Colorado Universal Preschool after the matching rounds, thanks to the new “Walk-In Enrollment” phase. After July 23rd, families will be able to work with a provider in their area to enroll onsite, as long as that provider has space. Families will still have to fill out an application online, and families with children who have an IEP will still be placed through AUs and the school district.
Space is limited – registering now is the best way to ensure your child has access to your families top preschool choice. Do so today!
Additional Languages Added!
Eight new languages have been added to the Colorado Universal Preschool Program’s online registration system for the 2024-25 school year, up from three last year. With eleven languages now available, more bilingual, multilingual, and non-English speaking families will be supported as they enroll their children in up to 15 hours of free, high-quality preschool!
Languages offered for the inaugural Colorado Universal Preschool program in 2023-24 included English, Spanish, and Arabic. This year, families can register to be matched with a provider of choice with end-to-end translation throughout the registration process in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese (simplified), Russian, Vietnamese, German, Korean, Hindi, Portuguese, and French.
The Department chose these eleven languages based on a combination of the data from the program’s first year data as well as the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 data for languages spoken in Colorado homes. The Census data indicates that these languages represent a combined 97.79% of all Colorado homes. Additional data from the State Demography Office, Denver Preschool Program, and Migration Policy Institute, as well as community partner input, was considered and aligns with the Department’s language selections.
The Department has also developed and translated a marketing toolkit for Universal Preschool providers and community partners to promote the opportunity in multiple languages!
CDEC Rulemaking July Updates
Special Announcement: New and Reappointed Rules Advisory Council (RAC) Members!
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) is pleased to announce the appointment of four (4) new members and reappointment of two (2) current members, to the Rules Advisory Council (RAC). Following a recent solicitation for applications, CDEC has selected a dynamic group of individuals who will compliment current RAC members, to bring diverse perspectives and invaluable expertise to its rulemaking proceedings.
The newly appointed and reappointed RAC members are:
- Alma Enriquez, Non-Parental Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Child Care Provider (Replacement)
- Colin Stewart, Founder and CEO, STEM Child Care
- Ashley Wilson, Director of Education and Special Education, Bal Swan Children’s Center
- Alma Wiley, Licensed Family Child Care Home Provider
- Heather O'Hayre, Executive Director, Larimer County Department of Human Services (Reappointment)
- Amy Buford, Child Find Coordinator and Itinerant Early Childhood Special Education (IECSE), Estes Park Elementary (Reappointment)
These candidates were selected for their professional and lived experiences, which are essential in helping the Department craft administrative rules that meet the needs of Colorado's children, families, and early childhood community. Their varied backgrounds and commitment to the Department’s mission will ensure the Department continues to develop and implement effective policies, practices, and administrative rules that benefit all families in our state.
The purpose of the RAC is to advise and develop recommendations for CDEC’s Executive Director to consider for inclusion in the administrative rules that guide the functions, programs, and services overseen by the Department. Recommendations made by the RAC should promote the interest of all Colorado children, families, and early childhood professionals, and be centered on the equitable distribution of resources and programming to ensure all children and families have access to the services and supports they need to thrive.
The new and reappointed Rules Advisory Council members will officially begin their four (4) year terms on July 1, 2024. With one (1) exception, Alma Enriquez was appointed to cover the remainder of Karina Sofia Garcia Sastre’s term, which ends on June 30, 2025.
Proposed Rules Under Consideration
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC/Department) will be examining one (1) set of proposed rules this month, and would greatly appreciate your feedback before the rules are considered for permanent adoption.
-
Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) Eligibility Rules: The proposed revisions to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program’s rules update the Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) and State Median Income (SMI) in alignment with recent Federal and State updates, that are used to determine eligibility for families applying for the CCCAP program; extend the sunset date of the current Parent Fee Formula to September 30, 2025; and address a finding that was in result of a recent federal audit, regarding the definitions for relatives of Qualified Exempt Providers. The proposed CCCAP rules will be reviewed by the RAC County Subcommittee on July 2, 2024; the Rules Advisory Council (RAC) on July 11, 2024; and considered for permanent adoption by the Executive Director during the Public Rulemaking Hearing on July 25, 2024. (Redlined Draft | Clean Draft | Rule Folder)
RAC County Subcommittee Meeting: Tuesday, July 2, 2024, from 12:00 - 1:30 p.m.
Rules Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting: Thursday, July 11, 2024, from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Public Rulemaking Hearing: Thursday, July 25, 2024, at 12:00 p.m.
How to Engage in the Rulemaking Process: If you have any questions regarding rulemaking, or would like to submit written comments, send us an email at: CDEC_Rulemaking@state.co.us.
How to Stay Informed: Please sign up to receive Rulemaking Notifications, and/or consult the CDEC Rule Tracker for the Department’s most up-to-date rulemaking information.
Read Colorado’s NEW Statewide Early Childhood Strategic Plan: Elevating Early Childhood!
Families and early childhood professionals in Colorado have a NEW statewide Strategic Plan called Elevating Early Childhood (At-a-Glance). This plan, developed by and for families, professionals, and early childhood leaders, seeks to create a system where young children, their families, and the professionals who serve them are valued, healthy, and thriving. This plan includes goals, objectives, and strategies that partners at any level of the system - be it parents, professionals, program or systems leaders - can act on. The Plan, which is comprehensive and cohesive, indicates the many areas where partners can take collective action and contribute to efforts to bring about the changes that Colorado’s children, families, and providers need and desire.
To learn more about Elevating Early Childhood, click here and join us in building 'A Bright Future for All Colorado’s Children and Families.'
_________________________________________________________________________
Lea el NUEVO Plan Estratégico de la Primera Infancia en todo el estado de Colorado: ¡Elevando la Primera Infancia!
Las familias y los profesionales que se dedican a la primera infancia en Colorado cuentan con un NUEVO Plan Estratégico para todo el estado llamado Elevando la Primera Infancia (Resumen del Plan). Este plan, desarrollado por y para familias, profesionales y líderes de la primera infancia, aspira a crear un sistema en el que los niños, sus familias y los profesionales que los asisten sean valorados, estén sanos y tengan una vida próspera. Este plan incluye metas, objetivos y estrategias sobre los que pueden actuar los colaboradores en cualquier nivel del sistema, ya sean padres o madres, profesionales o líderes del programa o del sistema. El Plan, que es integral y cohesivo, abarca todas las áreas en las que los colaboradores pueden participar de manera colectiva y contribuir a los esfuerzos de hacer los cambios que los niños, las familias y los proveedores de Colorado necesitan y anhelan.
Para obtener más información sobre Elevando la Primera Infancia, haga clic aquí y únase en la construcción de “Un futuro brillante para todos los niños y familias de Colorado”.
 Governor appoints new Commissioners to the Early Childhood Leadership Commission
The Early Childhood Leadership Commission welcomed four new Commissioners on July 1, 2024.
They are:
 M. Michael Cooke and Happy Haynes have been appointed to serve as ECLC Co-Chairs with ongoing Co-Chair Sue Renner.
The Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) is Colorado’s federally-authorized state advisory council for early childhood. The role of the ECLC is to be a statewide leader, subject matter expert, and champion of best and promising practices throughout the state.
Learn more about the work of the ECLC here.
Launch of Colorado Shines Quality Improvement Module
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is proud to launch our new Colorado Shines Quality Improvement Funding Module! The Colorado Shines Quality Improvement Module (QIM, QI Module) launched Thursday June 20. It will be used to manage the Colorado Shines quality improvement grant applications for each Early Childhood Council (ECC), along with the Minor Improvement and Emerging and Expanding Grant applications. Providers will be able to apply for Quality Improvement funding and submit spending records from their Colorado Shines Portal. Additionally, ECCs will track coaching hours and manage awarded funds for providers using the new QI Module, now managed in Salesforce.
All ECCs will work with providers to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) who are eligible and award funds. Your ECC may have specific customizations or guidelines in place, so please connect with your Quality Improvement Navigator to review his information. Launch of the QIM occurred June 20th. Providers can begin to apply for Quality Improvement funding, for use in the next state fiscal year beginning July 1st. For questions related to eligibility and support, please contact your local Early Childhood Council. Please read the How to Guide for instructions on how to apply for QI Funding.
This How to Guide will guide childcare providers how to log into the new QI Module. For any challenges with logging on, please contact the Colorado Shines Help Desk at cdec_coshines@state.co.us or 844-447-4441, Option 1.
Thank you! We look forward to supporting you through this exciting change.
Farm to Child July Newsletter
During July, learn how to make the most of your farmers' market visit to support local farmers and build community connections. In this month's Farm to Child newsletter explore the Buying Local Food for Children in Care Guide for tips on local food procurement, communication with farmers, and download the resource in English and Spanish.
Celebrate Colorado
Celebrate Colorado is a statewide celebration coordinated by the Governor's Office where Coloradans can enjoy free and discounted activities across the state from July 26-August 4 as the Polis Administration continues to save Coloradans money, support local business, and ensure every Coloradan can thrive.
Child Care Construction Guidebook Overview
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. Thrive Community Building, the TA Vendor who created these guides is offering a virtual overview opportunity of these guides on:
- July 16, 11:00am - 12:00pm
- August 13, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
- September 24, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
The same information will be shared at all of the overviews. To register to attend any of these virtual overviews, click here.
 New PDG B-5 Evaluation Reports Available from Butler Institute for Families
Evaluation is a key component of Colorado’s PDG B-5 Initiative. Butler Institute for Families at University of Denver served as the evaluator for the state’s 2020-2023 PDG B-5 Renewal Grant Initiative. New evaluation reports are now available!
|
