Colorado Department of Early Childhood

The meeting featured updates on child care resource and referral services, specifically the ability for providers to update their availability via phone, text, or email. The FFN Advisory Council announced an upcoming meeting to discuss emotional and mental health support for FFN providers and training opportunities. Finance representatives provided guidance on invoice submission, the use of updated templates, and adjustments to indirect cost rates for ENE contracts. Additionally, the meeting included a review of the Preschool Development Grant's local organizational capacity work, showcasing a video evaluation of efforts to support families with infants and toddlers.

The meeting included discussions on billing procedures for base funding for emerging and expanding programs, the posting of the triennial presentation on the CDEC website, and updates on the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program, specifically addressing utilization rates and provider enrollment. Additionally, the meeting covered an updated orientation process for level three to five ratings, including a new informational video and streamlined meeting procedures. Health and safety protocols were also reviewed, noting that mask usage for observers is now optional unless requested by a program. The meeting concluded with a presentation of rating results from 2022 and ongoing scheduling updates for programs.

The meeting focused on guidance for merit awards, emphasizing the necessity of having memorandums of understanding in place. There was a discussion regarding a past audit of the Sugar CRM system, which led to updated processes and documentation for capital improvement and quality spending. The session also covered the introduction of new user roles in the PDIS system to support administrative tasks, including PDIS administrator, workforce manager, training manager, and background check manager. Additionally, staff changes at Clayton were announced, specifically regarding leadership updates in the department quality assessment services.

The meeting provided updates on the office relocation of the Department of Early Childhood and discussed the stabilization survey for child care providers. Key agenda items included administrative procedures for media contact, fiscal year budget revisions and funding for ARPA, and instructions on assigning Qi Navigator roles in Salesforce. The session also covered updates on child care business training seminars, upcoming virtual training series and regional convenings, and the availability of Preschool Development Grant renewal reports. Finally, updates regarding the employer-based child care grant program were provided.

The Early Childhood Colorado Framework is a shared vision designed to promote action and conversations across the state, aiming for all children to be valued, healthy, and thriving. The framework is built upon equity and inclusion, celebrating the diversity of all families and children. Key pillars include promoting whole person health and well-being, fostering economic mobility, and ensuring a supported, fairly compensated, and diverse early childhood workforce. It serves as a guide for organizations to align their strategies and approach to work towards this vision.