 Newsletter header titled "Monthly Newsletter" from the Colorado Department of Early Childhood, dated September 2024, with an image of a diverse group of smiling young children.
In This Issue:
 Dr.Lisa Roy, the Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Education, is smiling with a dark blue shirt and colorful necklace. The logo says "Marquis Who's Who Top Educators" with a book that has the year 1889.
Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators
Dr. Lisa R. Roy, Executive Director at Colorado Department of Early Childhood, has been recognized as 'Who’s Who Top Educators' for dedication, achievements, and leadership in early education.
 Five young children sit at a table with arts and crafts supplies, raising their hands enthusiastically. The background shows colorful shelves. The text says "CO Universal Preschool" and "Universal Preschool Updates" on an orange background.
Universal Preschool Updates
Universal Preschool Providers, keep enrolling children throughout the year to continue supporting your program and Colorado kids by promoting and connecting families to Colorado Universal Preschool. Use the strategies in the Marketing Guide and ready-to-go materials from the Provider Marketing Tool Kit to promote the opportunity for families to directly enroll in your universal preschool program(s) to save up to $6,100 on high-quality early education and care. Visit this link to view the full 2024-25 Provider Handbook.
 A group of children places their hands together in a stack wearing colorful clothing. The text says "CDEC Rulemaking Updates" at the bottom on a red background.
CDEC Rulemaking Updates
Development of the 2025 Departmental Regulatory Agenda
The CDEC is in the process of creating its 2025 Departmental Regulatory Agenda, as mandated by section 2-7-202(6), C.R.S. We value your input and are seeking public feedback to identify any challenges with our current rules and discover areas for improvement. For more details, please read the public announcement, and send your recommendations to CDEC_Rulemaking@state.co.us by Monday, September 16, 2024. Your insights are crucial to helping us refine and enhance our rules and regulations.
Upcoming Rule-Related Public Meetings:
 How to Engage in the Rulemaking Process:
For questions about rulemaking or to submit written comments, please email us at CDEC_Rulemaking@state.co.us.
How to Stay Informed:
Sign up to receive Rulemaking Notifications and consult the CDEC Rule Tracker for the latest updates on our rulemaking activities.
 A group of children in scout uniforms are outdoors in a field. One child holds a magnifying glass, focusing on the camera. The text reads "Reporting Business or License Closures" at the bottom on a green background.
Reporting Business or License Closures:
Child care providers sometimes have to make the decision to close their doors for business and close their child care license. When a provider needs to close their license, the provider needs to contact all counties they have CCCAP Fiscal Agreements with before the closure to ensure proper payments are made and received.
CCCAP payments are only valid if made to a provider with an open license and for dates when the provider was open and available for service and provided care (with the exception of 10 CCCAP Holidays). If a provider reports a back-dated closure, CCCAP recoveries will be initiated. To avoid this, please report closures prior to their occurrence. If making the decision to close a license and reporting the closure date, please consider the dates of care that have already been provided and reimbursed for CCCAP.
For any questions, please contact the CCCAP Program Services team via cdec_ats_helpdesk@state.co.us or the Division of Early Learning Licensing and Administration at cdec_eclchildcarelicensing@state.co.us
 A young child with blond hair sits on the floor by a bookshelf filled with colorful books, selecting a large yellow book. The image has a blue overlay at the bottom with the text "Reminder for Grant Recipients" on a blue background.
Reminder for Grant Recipients
This is the last month to spend your
- Stabilization/New Provider Success Spring Bonus
- Health and Mental Health Grant
- Licensing Incentive Bonus
- Capacity Building Grant (for non-UPK providers)
Remember:
- For Stabilization/New Provider Success Spring Bonus recipients, you may spend your Spring Bonus on operating expenses and workforce (just like you could when you received the Stabilization/New Provider Success grant in 2022/2023).
- For Health and Mental Grant recipients and Capacity Building Grant recipients, you may spend this grant on the items you were approved for. This information was included in your award email that was sent to you on the day the grant was deposited into your bank.
- Licensing Incentive Bonus recipients may use the funds to build your new business.
- For ALL recipients: Any purchases must arrive at your site/home before the 9/30/24 deadline. If you order an item and it is not going to arrive until after 9/30/24, it cannot be purchased with this funding.
All funds must be spent by 9/30/24. Keep your receipts for 3 years. Our intention in awarding these funds to you is that they will be completely spent by the 9/30/2024 deadline.
Extensions will not be granted. Should you have any remaining funds on 10/1/2024, they must be returned to Metrix IQ .
Contact them directly at this help desk. If you have any questions about how you can spend the funds, please contact Kristi Resler, Stabilization Grants Manager (kristi.resler@state.co.us).
 Blue announcement banner with colorful circles background reads "NOW AVAILABLE! Pathways to Success: Colorado's Comprehensive Early Childhood Workforce Plan." A brochure cover shows a man interacting with a child. The bottom text says, "Launch of New Statewide Comprehensive Workforce Plan" on a blue background.
Launch of New Statewide Comprehensive Workforce Plan
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood and the Early Childhood Leadership Commission are thrilled to share the launch of “Pathways to Success: Colorado’s Comprehensive Early Childhood Workforce Plan.”
The plan brings together the goals, strategies, and recommendations from over 24 existing plans, initiatives, and frameworks. It takes a broader view of the workforce and is inclusive of the broad range of roles that serve children and families. We encourage you to read the plan and explore the many ways you can support a stronger early childhood workforce in Colorado.
Visit the ECLC website to learn more! Here, you can access the plan in English, Spanish, and Arabic as well as a webinar recording and slides and a toolkit to help you share the plan.
If you have any questions, please use this inquiry form.
 A woman reads a colorful book to a young child while sitting together on a comfortable gray couch. The text on the bottom says "Early Childhood Mental Health Book List" on an orange background.
Mental Health Starts Early Book List
Be sure to check out the children's book list curated by Colorado Early Childhood Mental Health (ECMH) consultants, clinically-trained mental health specialists with expertise in early childhood development. Book categories include:
- Social-emotional learnings and feelings
- Attachment relationships
- Body safety and consent
- Self-love and acceptance
- Trauma
- Diversity and inclusion
- Diverse families
You can find the book list under “More Resources for Supporting Young Children” at MentalHealthStartsEarly.com. Learn more about these and other resources and services available to anyone across the state who cares for children under age six to better understand and care for the wellbeing of young children online or by calling (833) ECMH-411 (833-326-4411).
 A child holding up a drawing of a colorful rainbow and smiling. The image includes the logo of "Project SUCCEED" with the text "Supporting Colorado Children's Early Emotional Development" and a banner at the bottom that says "Project SUCCEED" on a teal background.
Project SUCCEED
Project SUCCEED (Supporting Colorado Children’s Early Emotional Development) being offered by JFK Partners, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and the Colorado Association for Infant Mental Health (CoAIMH).
SUCCEED is a Mental Health Awareness Training grant funded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), that is intended to help increase our state’s capacity to address the unmet mental health needs of Colorado’s children.
 Three children with curly hair joyfully raise their hands in a celebratory manner while sitting outdoors. They smile brightly, surrounded by lush greenery. A green banner at the bottomsays "September Celebrations and Observance"
September Celebrations & Observance
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