Governor Polis' Bridge to...Cross the Street??
Total cost estimates are $18 Million-$29 MILLION for this project. Pitched as a Celebration of Colorado's 150th Anniversary...the Early Childhood Education Association of CO says, "NO thank you!"
Here's why---
All we hear from the state legislature is "we can't afford to pay for critical services. We have a budget deficit." You and I undersatnd that in large part that deficit is due to the fact that the state took ARPA (COVID) funds and hired new staff and offered new services that they can no longer afford now that those funds are gone. The fact is, we liked lots of services that were provided with those funds but economic reality has set in and the state CANNOT afford to pay for them on their own!
CCCAP freezes are still in effect in 24 counties. The reality is that unless the 2024 CCDF rule requirements are RESCINDED, counties will remain on a freeze for low income child care for years to come!
- In one years time, Colorado has lost 36 programs overall and the 1,297 slots that were in those programs because of CCCAP freezes.
- Parent's are losing care options for their children.
- The CCDF regulations would necessitate a $48 million increase in funding support to implement the unfunded federal mandates. CO simply cannot afford to do that.
- The rate increase for CCCAP that is being paid out in 3 annual increments cost the state $22 million because the state was found by the feds to be paying providers under 50% of the market value for care. Now, CDEC is looking into:
- Requesting an extension on the 3rd incremental increase to spread it out over future years AND
- Checking to see if it's possible to not be required to pay the 3rd increase at all. "Since CO would be paying above the 75% rate level at that point." That's right, YOU as providers would then just carry that extra 25% as a revenue loss again.
NOW--
Governor Polis seeks to build a bridge instead of putting the money towards supporting families and programs who support low income families. A vanity project aimed at memorilizing his time as Governor instead of using the funds to make a difference for the 7,487 low income children that CANNOT GET CHILD CARE RIGHT NOW!!
What you can do about it -
Take the Survey and "Just say NO!" When it gives you a biased, "If approved by citizens, which would you prefer of these two options....DON'T SELECT ANYTHING."
Here's the most important part:
Send Governor Polis a quick respectful email and tell him--Bridge support for low income families and help Colorado's child care programs sustain!
His email is:
It only takes a minute to speak up for child care!!
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Nationally 16% of Head Start Enrollees are Undocumented---And Will Now Lose Head Start Enrollment.
That means that Head Start programs MUST find private pay families or run the risk of losing their Head Start slots. That means that you now have to compete with Head Start programs as a private provider as well! If you are struggling with enrollment, reach out! We've got a partnership that is bringing parents in the door every day. It takes a financial commitment but that will get your enrollment up! If you are ready, reach out to [email protected] for details. We can't help if we don't know!
PLEASE take the survey!
State Leaders Want to Hear from CCCAP Providers - Survey closes on July 20th!
As of July 1, 2025, 24 counties in Colorado have slowed or stopped enrollment for the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP), and we know this is impacting providers in those counties.
By taking this short survey, you can help state leaders understand what providers need most to serve families who use CCCAP.
The survey should take no longer than 10 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous.
CDEC has partnered with Early Milestones to analyze the responses to this survey.
Here's the link: https://earlymilestones.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9t05ruKfvFPiBls?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
We are here to help...
Members watch the video too and tell us how we can help YOU! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BeI02-7MP0
After all:
August 9th - A Great Day for ALL Things Early Childhood
We hope to see you and your families there!!
Share with your families and tell them this is their THANK YOU for being in care! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VBvsKRYT9KtYOo_wv4r-amLSf4RmP474/view?usp=sharing
We have several food trucks now but families are welcome to bring their own picnic lunch if they want. It's going to be an AMAZING DAY!!
CO Pyramid Training
Members get their guarantee! If a staff member quits then we will allow another staff member to take the training for no charge within the pending year!
Training Runs on Tues/Thursday evenings starting at 6 p.m. starting August 19th. Completely virtual.
Link to flyer: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tqUBOzo53qLQKxP03fdAOX76OjDLyvYq/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112068139125283055161&rtpof=true&sd=true
Registration Links:
For ONE Person - https://eceaco.mykajabi.com/offers/zgqSzWsJ
For Multiple Staff members - email [email protected] for an invoice.
Responses