We were informed that the link to the Colorado universal preschool webpage was incorrect. Please find the corrected link below, sorry for any confusion.

www.cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-universal-preschool



Universal preschool is just ramping up for the 2023-24 school year. Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK), passed by the general public in the November of 2020 general election, allows families to choose the right setting for their child, whether it is in a licensed community-based, school-based or home-based preschool setting. Families of children in the year before they are eligible for kindergarten, and qualifying 3-year-olds, are able to apply for UPK Colorado for the 2023-24 school year beginning on January 17, 2023. To find out more visit www.cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-universal-preschool, or click here for Family FAQ’s.   

United Way of Weld County is the Local Coordinating Organization to coordinate a mixed delivery system of UPK Colorado in Weld County. Documents related to the Weld County LCO can be found here.

This is a great resource for Colorado families and one we are proud to be part of, it will take all of us working together to ensure families are educated, aware and take advantage of this voluntary preschool offer.  For more information please reach out! 

Sheri L. Hannah-Ruh

Director Early Childhood Initiatives

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EC Shared messaging

Early Childhood Shared messaging is critical, as advocates for young children, it is our job to work together to clearly communicate this critical message. An EC Shared Messaging tool was developed for agencies, advocates, and other partners to utilize in our efforts to build awareness and action around early childhood. This tool is NOT a piece of collateral or marketing itself.

There are 4 components:

1.      Weld Early Childhood (EC) Messages overview

• The first 5 years matter
• Early childhood mental health matters
• Early childhood workforce matters

2.      Advocacy Briefs - for each section with action steps on the second page

3.      Social Media folder has both content to post under each, a schedule to do so as well as graphics to use 2X/month

4.      Weld EC Shared Messages Activities – monthly document the use of the Early Childhood Shared messaging

Partners are encouraged to use and adapt these messages in all types of communications from formal 1698046 marketing to talking points, presentations, and everyday conversations. The ask is that each council member/agency post this on your social media platforms from January-June 2023. This YouTube video has been created for your convenience.

Reading Great by 8 will be posting the scheduled messages on the 5^th and 20^th of each month if you would like to share from your organization or personal Facebook page.

To create hashtags that are more accessible for individuals who are vision impaired, click here.

Parent Representative Wanted

The Early Childhood Council of Weld County is looking for a parent of a child (0-5 years of age) to be a representative of parent voice to help shape the direction of collaboration among county-wide organizations. A meeting stipend is available to offset the cost of child care. If interested please review this Memorandum of Understanding and contact Sheri@UnitedWay-Weld.org

Mark your calendar!

Child Care Discussions with the Council - First Tuesday of every month 6:30 - 8 p.m.

January 3 - Zoom Link or Meeting ID: 897 6372 8024

Download a recurring calendar reminder