5/27/25 ECEA Child Care Update
Small Business Under Attack
It's not enough to just run a business. Small business is under attack by the Colorado state legislature year after year. With 650 bills introduced in ONE year alone, it is impossible for you as a business owner to keep an eye out for any that may potentially undermine your business!
How ECEA Helps
ECEA as a trade association watches ALL bills to see if there are any that would impact your child care business or small business altogether. We track bills, work with legislators to effect changes through legislative action, educate members on what is happening, and coordinate engagement at the best moments for impact. Your voice matters, and we make sure of it!
Lobbying Services
Usually, lobbying services cost $2,500 or more a month year-round. It's not feasible for a small business to do. That's one way that ECEA can help! Anything you hear about legislation from anyone comes through the frame of their perspective. ECEA's frame is Community-Based Child Care Businesses! Even CDEC is unable to provide you with that specific frame of reference for legislation!
Additional Benefits
- Cost Savings Calculator: See the potential savings that a membership has to offer due to our business partnerships. [https://www.coloradoecea.org/membership/membership-savings-calculator](https://www.coloradoecea.org/membership/membership-savings-calculator)
- Business Support Partnerships: Additional partnerships that offer you terrific business support!
- ECEA Insider's Edge: A quick video summary of the critical things you need to know in the industry. (Members see your direct update or find the links in the portal!)
- Colorado Pyramid Trainings: $350 in partnership with our ECEA Bright Foundation. Members get a guarantee if a staff member quits during the training they paid for. https://memberportal.coloradoecea.org/ap/Events/Register/EqFb6O6TgC6C9
- AMAZING Products: Save Director's time and be more effective at their job! Watch for our launch to our members-only products in coming updates!
- Rapid Assistance: Get rapid assistance when things go wrong with staff or licensing, etc. Our members know to reach out via email, and we come through! You won't be waiting for days to figure things out. We are there for our members.
- Supportive Industry: Connect with members via our portal, PRIVATE Facebook page, Let's Talk virtual sessions, or Virtual Statewide Directors Roundtable. We schedule in-person meetings when a need arises (e.g., June meeting re: pending Infant/Toddler Ballot Initiative). We work hard to engage you with the important things that are happening!
- Connecting to Families: ECEA is hosting an Early Childhood Trade Show and Family Fun Fair. We know that we have to speak to families to better educate them on community-based care and universal preschool. We are connecting with them through this tremendous event (make sure to come!) AND through our social media outreaches.
- ECEA Board: A board that cares for you and your business. They work proactively to support your needs through our organization.
- CO Shines Rating Points: Members can receive 2 points towards your CO Shines Rating by engaging in business consulting. Classroom consultations/coaching sessions are available for up to an additional 5 points from our credentialed coach for a fee.
ECEA Staff Support: Connect with ECEA staff for support
For $25 a month or less you get access to the information that can best support your business. It's an investment in your business that only costs $25 or less per location.
JOIN NOW and be a part of the impact!!
Nationwide Advocates DON'T CARE about Child Care Enrollment Levels...Their Agenda's are Showing!
While there is significant discussion about potential funding losses, there seems to be a lack of focus on the fact that, here in Colorado alone, 3,993 families and 5,763 low-income children are currently unable to access care. We are still working to understand the impact in other states, as many have not yet quantified the effects, partly due to the two-year waiver they were able to secure.
The implementation of the 2024 CCDF rule set has introduced requirements that states are finding difficult to afford. Critically, no additional funding was provided to support these new service requirements without causing disruption. As a direct consequence, counties in Colorado are being forced to freeze access to low-income child care benefits for any new families. This situation also places programs that depend on this funding for their operational budgets at serious risk.
It's crucial to address both the funding challenges and the immediate impact on families and children who are being denied access to care. The fact is that nation wide advocates WANT the changes...and the suffering that is experienced by Colorado families and programs are considered justifiable. That's why there is no nationwide push to rescind or fund the 2024 CCDF rules. Nothing in the rules stops states from moving more towards these new requirements gradually to strengthen families and the industry. To do it the way it has been done is irresponsible and is hurting Colorado families!!
What can you do about it?
Reach out to your federal legislators and tell them to Rescind or Fund the 2025 Rule set!! If that were to happen, freeze lists would cease to exist! https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
Now, GO DO IT!
https://www.coloradoecea.org/advocacy/cccap-co-child-care-assistance-program
How changes to government-subsidized childcare made it so there are now waitlists.
Wonder how much an ECEA membership can save you every month and year? Check out our new Saving's Calculator!
https://www.coloradoecea.org/membership/membership-savings-calculator
