Have a Question about Quality Supports in Early Care and Education Programs?:
For more information: ECPAC staff leading these efforts: Amanda Benson: ABenson@ecpac.org or 303-428-3012. Read more about our coaching HERE.
Research shows that children who attend high quality child care and preschool have life long lasting impacts – especially children living in poverty – including higher academic scores, high graduation, less involvement in the juvenile justice system and even earning more by the age of 27 than their peers growing up in poverty who did not attend a high quality program.
To help better understand and support the number of high quality programs available to children in Adams County, ECPAC is participating in the state-wide quality improvement efforts of the Colorado Department of Human Services – Office of Early Childhood – Colorado Shines.
I really wanted to say “Thanks so much for everything you all do for me and my families”! Because of the training/coaching I receive, my families have noticed. I worked hard to step up to the plate and became a successful home childcare provider!! I have truly been blessed with everyone on my team of life!! This blessing was more than I could have ever imagined from my sweet families. – Early Care and Education Provider working with ECPAC
What does ECPAC offer through this program?
Through this system, programs can receive support to demonstrate their level of quality. There are 5 levels of quality in this system.
ECPAC’s supportive services to Early Care and Education (ECE) programs include helping providers know what will be involved in advancing to demonstrated quality through the Colorado Shines system:
- All licensed ECE Programs are a Colorado Shines Level 1 program. ECPAC staff are available to ECE programs to support them to reach a Level 2, which includes completing some on-line classes and a self-assessment. We are here to help – so give us a call!
- Once ECE Programs have achieved a Level 2 rating, have a signed CCCAP fiscal agreement, and have updated their Colorado Shines application – they are eligible for CO Shines funding to help them achieve the milestones needed to demonstrate a high level of quality through the rating system. This includes funding for classroom materials, an early childhood coach, and funding for professional development. We would love to help you access these supports – so give us a call!
- Programs receive a Level 3-5 Colorado Shines rating – after they have completed a rating submission process that includes an on-site evaluation by a neutral observer (contracted by Clayton Early Learning). Some programs are eligible for a Level 3-5 because they already hold accreditations that crosswalk over.
Adams County ECE providers who are Level 1 and/or do not have a signed fiscal agreement with CCCAP, may access quality improvement supports through ECPAC’s Fee For Service Quality Support Program or contact ECPAC to determine if they qualify for “hardship” support.
For Fee for Service: Documents needed for more information and to request these services are (please contact Amanda: ABenson@ecpac.org or 303-428-3012):