FAMILY FRIENDLY CITY SUMMIT | |
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FAMILY FRIENDLY CITY SUMMIT FINAL REPORT
To meet the local child care crisis*, a Family Friendly City Summit convened community leaders to collaboratively discuss, strategize, and implement solutions to alleviate child care shortages. Joint Initiatives, Pikes Peak United Way, and the El Pomar Foundation took the lead on launching the Summit in May 2024, which sparked community engagement to foster the creation of quality child care spots.
The 100+ Summit delegates represented the sectors of business, education, government, healthcare, human services, media, and faith- and military-based organizations, and were called on to provide experience and expertise from their respective fields with the ultimate goal of co-creating recommended initiatives to address how the community can work together to create critical quality child care programs.
The common themes and shared community priorities which emerged from the Summit are presented in the Family Friendly City Summit Report below.
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*ABOUT THE LOCAL CHILD CARE CRISIS
In El Paso County, families and employers need an additional 16,935 early childhood, or child care, spots in addition to the 17,452 that exist today. However, creating child care spots is only half the story. When child care is high quality, children’s lives are changed for the better. They are more likely to graduate high school and college, earn higher wages, and have better health outcomes. When a community’s people do well, the overall economy thrives too.
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HEALTHY UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL COLLABORATIVE | |
Universal Preschool Program (UPP, aka UPK) providers are invited to participate in the Healthy Universal Preschool Collaborative, an 18-month project to support UPP programs in meeting the new UPP Healthy Development Quality Standards (8-CCR 1401-1-4.112), specifically those focused on oral health. This program will be available to 50 UPP programs, including Family Child Care Homes, in El Paso County. | |
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Collaborative Highlights:
- Providing a Child Care Health Consultant (at no cost to you) who will conduct a free on-site oral health screening in 1-3 preschool classrooms (by December 2025).
- Providing you with or helping you to adapt a Healthy Development Resource and Referral List that can be shared with families.
- Offering the Cavity Free Kids training to your staff, with a certificate awarded in PDIS.
- Providing a $500 incentive
If interested, please review the UPP Flyer HERE and fill out this quick survey.
🔗 Take Survey HERE
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JOIN US!
JI's Foundations Team includes two Coaches who will be offering FREE virtual office hours open to all early childhood providers in El Paso County. Dates are September 9, 16, 23, 30, and October 7 from 12:30–2 pm. This is your opportunity to connect with us for support, learn about resources, or ask questions! For the Zoom link to join, please complete a short registration form.
🔗 Register HERE
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MATERNAL CHILD HEALTH TRAINING SURVEY
The El Paso County Public Health Department's Maternal Child Health (MCH) Program is looking to expand how we train professionals with limited professional development time, such as Early Childhood Educators. MCH wants to meet you where you are. Please take a minute or two to fill out the following survey.
🔗 TAKE SURVEY HERE
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COMING SOON!
Stay tuned for details on the upcoming Expanding Quality for Existing Programs and Family Child Care Home Start-Up grants! All early childhood programs will receive an email as soon as information is available.
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MINOR IMPROVEMENT GRANT NOW OPEN
Funds to support Minor improvements in programs that serve infants and toddlers may be available through an application to and approval from the Department of Early Childhood. Eligible programs must hold a Colorado Shines Level 2 or higher, have an active Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) fiscal agreement, and meet requirements for CSQI-Targeted funds. Learn more HERE, and reach out to cdec_coshines@state.co.us with any questions.
🔗 Apply HERE by August 31, 2024
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EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS | |
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EARLY CHILDHOOD CAREER ENGAGEMENT AWARD
Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families is excited to offer a $500 AWARD for up to 30 high school students who complete the Early Childhood Career Start and Concurrent Enrollment class. Our goal is to help students continue their early childhood career pathway after graduation
by providing support and creating easy access into the field.
🔗 View Flyer + APPLY
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ADVANCING EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS PROGRAM
Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families (JI) is excited to partner with Pikes Peak State College to offer a new program that includes $500–$800 in funding for YOU (depending on the track); monetary incentives for completion of credits, CEUs, and PDIS levels; personalized career navigation; and coaching to work in the field of Early Childhood Education.
Check out the informational flyers TODAY:
Funding to launch this program was awarded to Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families by the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) as a recipient of the Opportunity Now Colorado grant. To learn more about this award, click HERE.
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JOIN US!
JI's monthly Roundtable will be held on August 29th at 1 pm OR 6 pm. The agenda will consist of CDEC updates and time for Q+A. We highly recommend registering for the August session, visiting the UPK page, and/or watching past Roundtable recordings.
🔗 REGISTER for either time
Download the flyer HERE.
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EARLY CHILDHOOD SEARCH TOOL | |
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FAMILIES!
PikesPeakEarlyChildhood.org is a website search tool that gives families access to information about providers in their area. Families can now look at program info on the site to find, choose, and enroll in an early childhood program that meets the needs of their child and family. Get all of your FAQs answered HERE.
EARLY CHILDHOOD PROGRAMS!
The Department of Human Services is sending families to this website to find care. Increase your visibility by enrolling your program on this site. For questions about claiming your program profile and making sure it highlights what makes your program unique may email Eugene Johnson, Data Support Specialist, or call 719.464.6985.
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JOIN US THRU DECEMBER!
Parents and caregivers of children five and younger are invited to a playgroup! Registration is required. Join Linda Weise for a playful morning of music, movement, art, and fun together based on the Simple Gift Schoolhouse Children's Program. This playgroup embraces children of all abilities, and Spanish speakers are welcome. Click the registration or flyer link for details!
🔗 REGISTER
🔗 View flyer HERE
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NEW TO COLORADO SHINES?
Is your early childhood program new to Colorado Shines? Are you an early childhood professional who needs assistance with where to start? Your Foundations team at Joint Initiatives is here to help. Please reach out to our Foundations Outreach Specialist, Ashley Pomales, or our Foundations Early Childhood Manager, Brittany Hasenbalg, for more information.
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COLORADO SHINES RATINGS
Make sure you're ready for your Colorado Shines Rating! Take advantage of the resources provided through Clayton Early Learning to get all of your questions answered by the experts who conduct your observations. For details about their Q & A sessions, click HERE. This link also includes previously recorded content for viewing at your convenience. Please note, all programs currently in the scheduling queue will be assigned a rating month. Please remember to submit your applications for the rating at least two months before your expiration. If you have any questions, contact your Foundations Coach or Ashley Pomales to find out more.
Need more information, subscribe to the PD Update, visit JI's Quality Programs page, or visit ColoradoShines.com.
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TEACHERS ROCK!
The Colorado Rockies and TEACH Colorado would like to invite all teachers, support staff, administrators, and volunteers to enjoy a special night at the ballpark! Get ready to step up to the plate and hit a home run for Colorado educators!
🔗 Get Details + Tickets HERE
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EYES TOWARDS THE FUTURE
The Pikes Peak Region Family Child Care Association will present a fall conference, “Eyes Towards the Future,” on October 19, 2024. Family Child Care Providers and center staff are invited to register. Sessions include Foundations of Early Childhood Brain Development, Teaching and Supporting Self-Regulation with Toddlers & Preschoolers, and Hands on STEM.
🔗 Details + Register HERE.
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COLORADO FAMLI PROGRAM
Unique Work Place invites you to an informative session surrounding FAMLI. Colorado workers, small business owners, and caregivers will discover how to balance work and family life with the new Colorado FAMLI program!
Join us for an informative session at Unique Work Place with expert Lydia Waligorski to learn:
- How to qualify for and apply for FAMLI benefits
- When and how to use your paid leave
- Tips on preparing your taxes for FAMLI eligibility (self-employed)
- Understanding your rights as an employee or employer
- Flexible session times and days for your busy schedule
Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights into accessing these essential benefits.
RSVP now to secure your spot:
🔗 September 12 | 6–8 pm
🔗 September 13 | 11 am–1 pm
🔗 September 14 | 8:30–10:30 am
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CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM SUMMIT
The National CACFP Association is offering workshops on nutrition, program administration, operations, financial and nonprofit management, and more. Can't make it to the live sessions? Recordings will be available to view on-demand through August 29, 2024. Earn up to 16.5 hours of CEUs. Scholarships are available and the deadline to apply is July 24th.
🔗 View Flyer HERE
🔗 Details + Registration HERE
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Read more about CACFP for programs of all types and get resources in other languages on the CACFP website. | |
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BRIGHT BY TEXT
Families can get free, expert parenting tips by text. Bright by Text is there for anyone who cares for a child, from pregnancy through age 8l including parents, parents-to-be, grandparents, babysitters, aunties/uncles, neighbors, friends, teachers, and more.
Text COKIDS to 274448
🔗 Sign Up HERE
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PROJECT INCLUDE: EARLY CHILDHOOD ACCESS THROUGH ADAPTIVE TECHNOLOGY
Project Include is available in El Paso County! Project Include provides training, support, and equipment to assist licensed Colorado family child care homes, child care centers, and preschools in developing learning environments and curriculums that are more inclusive for all children, including those with delays and disabilities. Learn more HERE. If you are interested in participating, contact ProjectInclude@ucdenver.edu.
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COLORADO CHILD CARE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Do you need some extra support with CCCAP? The State CCCAP Team is offering monthly support sessions for early childhood providers on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 12–12:45 pm. Sessions include CCCAP updates, Attendance Tracking System overview and demonstration, and time for Q+A.
Join the sessions via Google Meet HERE
or dial 561.614.0668 (PIN: 240 371 957#)
CCCAP PROVIDER BASICS COURSE
You can also learn about Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) in a new one-hour, self-paced eLearning course, CCCAP Provider Basics, published on the Professional Development Information System (PDIS). The course is available at any time, free of charge, and is available in both Spanish and English. It is intended for child care providers and staff who would like to work with CCCAP and those who are already CCCAP providers.
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$100 INCENTIVE FOR NEW CCCAP CONTRACT
Joint Initiatives is providing a $100.00 incentive for licensed programs that obtain an active CCCAP fiscal agreement with the El Paso County Department of Human Services. To be eligible for this incentive opportunity, programs must contact Ashley Pomales, JI's Foundations Outreach Specialist, for assistance.
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CCCAP QUESTIONS
If you need to contact the El Paso County Department of Human Services for CCCAP needs, please use their inquiry email address DHSCCProvider@elpasoco.com. This is the best and most efficient way to get your need addressed.
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FREE EDUCATOR MENTAL HEALTH + SUPPORT SERVICES
This line is a free service available to all healthcare workers, educators, and school employees, including early childhood educators and those in higher education.
🔗ColoradoEducatorSupport.com
Visit their website for more on their Well-Being Support Services, Online Self-Paced Program, and Educator Workshops. View or share flyer HERE.
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COLORADO CRISIS SERVICES
If you or someone you know is in crisis or needs help dealing with one,
call 1-844-493-TALK (8255) or text TALK to 38255 to speak to a trained professional.
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PIKES PEAK RISING 360
El Paso County Public Health is excited to share the official launch of Pikes Peak Rising 360, an online, web-based self-help platform. The platform provides thousands of expert-vetted resources and scientifically validated assessments, all of which are adaptable to different learning styles. It's a one-stop shop for self-help resources that are confidential, anonymous, and available 24/7.
🔗Learn more HERE.
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Colorado’s Early Childhood Mental Health Support Line is a no-cost, confidential resource for anyone who cares for children under six. It helps caregivers better understand and support the well-being of the young children in their care, including children who may currently be struggling. An experienced consultant is available to discuss needs, identify support resources, and provide a referral to a nearby Early Childhood Mental Health consultant. Be sure to like and share the campaign posts to help spread the word about this important resource! 🔗MentalHealthStartsEarly.com
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TOOLKIT FOR PROVIDERS
This valuable toolkit for early childhood programs is a wealth of information with sections that include Building Strong Early Relational Health, Recognizing and Responding to Your Own Well-Being, Family Engagement, Trauma-Informed Settings, Preventing Removals, Partners to Support Your Learning, and Training + Resources. The sections offer articles, reports, videos, resources, social media graphics, and website links. This project was supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5) Grant.
🔗 View the Toolkit HERE.
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QUARTERLY PRE-LICENSING
October 21-24
9:30 am – 1:30 pm | Online
Instructor: Gwen Madrid
Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Provider is an exciting career move that offers you the opportunity to provide appropriate care and guidance for other children in your community. Licensed Family Child Care Providers can earn income for their families while providing an invaluable service to the community.
NEW! Registration for Pre-Licensing is now through PDIS HERE. Make sure to fill out all the fields, including a personal phone number. Also, it is important to check on and update the email address listed in the My Profile>Personal area before requesting registration. Your registration cannot be approved if it is missing any information.
🔗 Register for October training in PDIS HERE | $50
For more information on building your career as a Family Child Care Provider, visit the JI website HERE.
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"ASK THE NAVIGATORS"
Weekly office hours will resume on August 7th from 1:30-2:30 pm via Microsoft Teams! Download the flyer HERE for a link/QR code to join the meeting.
Providers may contact Family Child Care Home Navigators for FREE support, including help accessing available program benefits and consultative supports,
technical assistance in completing applications for grants, and information to stay up-to-date on government changes that impact family child care home businesses.
They also support individuals seeking to open a Family Child Care Home business and can answer any questions before or after completing Pre-Licensing training (see dates above).
Contact a Navigator Today!
Renee Sasse | 719.381.4806
Aldria Mann | 719.381.4813
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PROFESSIONALS + PROGRAMS
The Foundations Team at Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families is your local early childhood liaison, dedicated to supporting ALL early childhood programs and professionals in building strong early childhood foundations for children and families. We provide support based on needs and individual starting points – almost always at no cost. See our flyer for details and contact information.
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WOULD YOU LIKE CAREER NAVIGATOR ASSISTANCE?
Joint Initiatives offers free career navigation to help you determine the best early childhood career pathway, provide PDIS support, assist with college enrollment, answer CDA questions, offer portfolio support, and more! Download our Navigator Flyer for details or visit our BuildMyECECareer.com to schedule a free time to chat. If you know someone considering a career in early childhood education, this site has complete details for getting started, including inspiring videos highlighting those in the field! ¡Ofrecemos nuestros servicios en Español! For flyer in Spanish, click HERE.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT LINKS
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FAMILY RESOURCES
You'll find the information at Jointinitiatives.org under the Foundations menu and on the Resources page. We have a collection of blogs, a video library on child development, links to organizations, health/behavior supports, and resources for military families. We've also developed a NEW Community Resource Directory with links to organizations that serve children, youth, and families. Find the latest copy on the Resources page.
Check out the NEW Finding Quality Child Care Resource Guide + Checklist. It's a great tool to take along when visiting programs or to share with anyone seeking child care.
Joint Initiatives offers a Kindergarten Hub on our website at Jointinitiatives.org/kindergarten. It includes resources for families AND early childhood programs, along with links to each school district.
Need more assistance? Call our Family Support Line at 719.205.2691. View and/or share our flyer HERE.
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ALLIANCE FOR KIDS
The Alliance for Kids, El Paso County's Early Childhood Council, provides oversight to JI's Foundation program, bringing agencies and individuals together to work collaboratively on a seamless system of care for young children and their families in El Paso County. The Council engages community partners in an open coalition framework to make decisions, implement new programs, and produce positive outcomes for young children and their families. Council subcommittees of Learning + Development, Health + Well-Being, and Family Support + Education are where organization representatives and individuals meet regularly to further the work of the Council in each area.
▶ Learn more about the Alliance for Kids Council
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LEARN MORE ABOUT JOINT INITIATIVES
►Watch a short video HERE.
FIND + FOLLOW US
Find us @jointinitiatives on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. We're also on LinkedIn.
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In less than two weeks the Colorado Children’s Campaign team will release the 2024 KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report. Join us on Tuesday, August 20 at 9 am to learn more about key findings related to poverty, housing costs, school climate, graduation rates, and much more.
Join us in person for a presentation at the Colorado Health Foundation, which will include a light breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and available physical copies of the new KIDS COUNT in Colorado! report.
🔗 Register (In Person)
Join the presentation via Zoom. Simultaneous interpretation in Spanish will be available. Interpretación simultanea estará disponible.
🔗 Register (Virtual)
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RAISE COLORADO COALITION
The Colorado Children's Campaign (CCC) is proud to convene Raise Colorado, a diverse coalition of advocates, businesses, service providers, government representatives, and families who share the belief that every child and their family deserve the best start possible.
If you are interested in policy and advocacy efforts benefitting Colorado’s infants and toddlers and their families, we would love to have you join us. Please contact Melissa Mares or Hunter Nelson for more information.
🔗 REGISTER for the next meeting on November 15, 2024, at 10 am.
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STATEWIDE EARLY CHILDHOOD STRATEGIC PLAN
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.
PUBLIC RULEMAKING HEARINGS
Recordings and materials for past and upcoming meetings will be posted on the Rulemaking and RAC website.
HEALTH + MENTAL HEALTH BULLETIN
Sign up HERE for quarterly newsletter – scroll to the bottom of website.
CDEC RESOURCES
DISPUTE RESOLUTION | LICENSING 7.716.7
"The state department, through the Division of Early Care and Learning, shall provide for an informal dispute resolution process to include a consultation and appeal process, through the Colorado Shines system." Please click HERE for details on page 424.
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