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Features a group of five diverse children smiling outdoors. Logos of the State of Colorado and the CDEC are in the upper-right corner. Text reads "Monthly Newsletter. Colorado Department of Early Childhood. October 2024."
In This Issue:
 A young child is engaged in an educational activity, sorting labeled cards on a mat. The logo for CO Universal Preschool is displayed in the top-left corner. Text reads "Universal Preschool Updates."
2025-36 Universal Preschool Calendar
Universal Preschool Continues Approach to Input-Driven, Continuous Improvement with Updated 2025-26 Enrollment Calendar.
  
 A family of three are sitting on a sofa. The parents are smiling at the baby. Text reads "CDEC Rulemaking Updates."
CDEC Rulemaking Updates
Upcoming Rule-Related Public Meetings:
RAC County Subcommittee Meeting (Zoom Link)
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Date: Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024
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Time: 9-10:30 a.m.
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Topic(s): Proposed Plan to Implement Colorado House Bill 24-1223 and changes to the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF); and Proposed Charter for the RAC County Subcommittee.
Rules Advisory Council (RAC) Meeting (Zoom Link)
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Date: Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024
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Time: 1-4:00 p.m.
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Topic(s): Proposed Repeal of the Colorado Universal Preschool Program’s rules 4.103(L) and 4.110(A)(1), to remove the Congregation Preference as applied to the acceptance algorithm of the Preschool Program's matching process.
Public Rulemaking Hearing (Zoom Link)
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Date: Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024
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Time: 1-2:00 p.m.
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Discussion(s): Proposed Repeal of the Colorado Universal Preschool Program’s rules 4.103(L) and 4.110(A)(1), to remove the Congregation Preference as applied to the acceptance algorithm of the Preschool Program's matching process.
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 mom is holding her child and the child is resting their head on her shoulder. Text reads "NEW CCCAP State-Established Reimbursment Rates"
NEW CCCAP State-Established Reimbursement Rates
Coming Soon!
Did you know the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) has a new methodology for State-established reimbursement rates for child care providers? We are so excited to be on this implementation journey over the coming three-year period to establish reimbursement rates that represent the true cost of care rather than current market tuition rates.
For more information about this exciting project, please see the following resources:
What’s next?
If you have a current CCCAP Fiscal Agreement with one or more counties, be on the lookout for your new CCCAP rate schedule by 9/30/2024. The Notification of Rate Schedule Reimbursement Rates for Fiscal Agreement (Correspondence CR707) effective as of Oct. 1, 2024. will be visible from the Attendance Tracking System (ATS) Correspondence once it has been created between 8/2-9/30/2024. Please reach out to your CCCAP county for any questions about your notice once it is received.
For more information about the benefits of the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) and working with CCCAP counties, please see the CCCAP Provider Handbook: (CCCAP Provider Handbook (English) and CCCAP Provider Handbook (Espanol)), and the CCCAP Provider Basics Course.
We strongly encourage providers and any staff that work with CCCAP to take this important 1 hour PDIS Course so that they can better understand the program and requirements. This course counts toward level 2 clock hours and ongoing professional development hours.
 A caregiver in dark blue scrubs assisting a girl in a wheelchair in a kitchen. Text reads "ECE Facility Workshops."
ECE Facility Workshops
Thrive Community Building is hosting free online Fall Workshops focused on various aspects of creating and maintaining a safe & inspiring facility for children, parents and staff. See flyer for more details.
 A teacher is reading to two children while smiling. Text reads "DELLA Appeals and Waivers Request Panel Vacancies."
DELLA Appeals and Waivers Request Panel Vacancies
The Department of Early Learning, Licensing and Administration is seeking representatives from licensed child care facilities and homes, local early childhood councils or local child care resource and referral agencies, state-level early childhood representatives with early care and education expertise to join our Appeals and Waivers Requests panels!
The primary responsibility of the Child Care Appeals and Waivers Requests Panels is to review licensed providers' requests for stringency appeals and hardship waivers. Panel members assess whether approving these requests is appropriate and if there are any risks to the health, safety, or well-being of children. Panel members will meet once a month on the 2nd or 4th Monday of the month for approximately 1-2 hours depending on the number of requests.
If you or someone you know might be interested in this opportunity, please direct them to the questionnaire below.
 Two young children are playing with colorful building blocks on a wooden table in a well-lit room with brick walls and a large window. Text reads "NEW Annual Child Care Business Training and Consulation Report."
NEW Annual Child Care Business Training and Consultation Report
The Annual Child Care Business Training and Consultation Report is now available, highlighting the collaborative efforts of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) through its Small Business Development Center (SBDC) network, and local Early Childhood Councils (ECCs).
Over the past 18 months, ten SBDCs hosted a total of 33 business training series, including 11 offered in Spanish, and 3 single-day, in-person early childhood business conferences. These opportunities were designed to support child care providers, both home- and center-based, as well as Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) providers, in strengthening their businesses. Additionally, CDEC Licensing Specialists provided valuable presentations on licensing rules and regulations.
The report highlights project data, shared successes from the SBDCs, ECCs, and Licensing Specialists, along with testimonials from training participants.
For more information or questions about the report, please contact Marika Padilla at marika.padilla@state.co.us.
 Young boy in denim overalls smiling with text "Help big dreams grow." TEACH Colorado logo against blue background with white transparent squiggles. Text reads "TEACH Colorado."
TEACH Colorado
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood, in partnership with TEACH Colorado, is delighted to launch the second version Early Childhood Recruitment and Marketing Kit, featuring a series of five videos promoting early childhood educators in Colorado classrooms. The toolkit includes sample captions for you to use when promoting your own organization and recruitment efforts, and it also includes another opportunity to win a gift card!
The goal is to make it easy for you to uplift and celebrate the early childhood teaching workforce, inspire others to join the profession, and increase the number of early childhood teachers in our state. For additional recruitment support, please contact Elizabeth Cordova at ecordova@teachcolorado.org.
 Four young children sitting on the floor playing with small toys. Text reads "CDEC & CDE Partner on Professional Development."
CDEC & CDE Partner on Professional Development
This fall the Colorado Department of Education (CDE) released new coursework and a facilitated coaching series – The What, Why, and How of Early Childhood Mental Health – through the CDE Moodle professional development platform. Through active partnership and a commitment to making this content available to all professionals who care for children birth through kindergarten, CDE and CDEC were able to successfully cross-list the opportunity in CDEC’s PDIS learning platform.
Registration for the training quickly filled (and is now closed) with early childhood educators, special educators, and school-based mental health professionals eager to better understand the mental health of children in their care.
The course runs from mid-September through December. Participants will receive 4 1/2 hours of continuing education hours upon successful completion of each module and quiz.
We look forward to sharing feedback and exploring additional offerings through this partnership. If you need help with the Colorado Shines PDIS, contact the Colorado Shines PDIS Helpdesk at 1-844-447-4441 (Monday–Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. [Mountain time]) or email us at cdec_pdishelp@state.co.us
 Two young kids jumping with their arms raised in the air against a blue sky. Text reads "Colorado Department of Early Childhood Celebrations and Updates."
Colorado Department of Early Childhood Celebrations and Updates
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