Mission

Our mission is to build safe, supportive, and healthy early childhood settings and systems where children and professionals learn and grow.

People & Places

We promote and support best practices by providing grants, professional development, technical assistance, and advocacy.

We collaborate with national, state, and local entities to meet the needs of the people and places serving our youngest children. Our focus on improving health, safety, and well-being in early childhood settings and systems is what ignites our passion for this incredibly important work.  

 

Core Values and Principles

These serve as “compass points” that guide the organization’s development, culture, strategy, and sustainability.

building healthy futures

Child Care Health Consultation

  • Health Hub
    1. Professional Registry
    2. Resource Center
    3. Forum
    4. Marketing tools
  • Professional Development
  • Competencies
  • Technical Assistance
  • State Huddles
  • Mentoring Cohorts
  • Leadership Committee

 

Early Childhood Programs

  • Grants
  • Professional Development
  • Resource Center
  • Technical Assistance
  • Job Board
  • Training Calendar
  • Find a CCHC or Trainer
  • Tooth Healthy Text

policy & advocacy

  • Actively participate in coalitions and educate policymakers
  • Share expertise and catalyze “BIG P” and “little p” policy changes
  • Empower champions to make policy and practice changes

History

Healthy Child Care Colorado arose out of the Healthy Child Care America initiative that began in the 1990s with support from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Maternal and Child Health Bureau, Health Resources and Services Administration; the Child Care Bureau, Administration for Children and Families; the American Academy of Pediatrics; and the American Public Health Association. These partners recognized the potential to positively impact the health and safety of children in early childhood settings throughout the country.

Colorado stakeholders recognized the importance of collaboration, so the Colorado Children’s Hospital, the Colorado Department of Human Services, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, and the Colorado Office of Resource and Referral Agencies worked together to establish Healthy Child Care Colorado. These founding organizations remain active members on the steering committee. 

Why Early childhood Matters

 

The research is clear, for every

$1

invested in building a stronger early childhood system, the return on that investment is

$9

for every dollar invested.

 

Limited access to high quality early childhood means low income and at-risk children are behind

12-14 months

At-risk and vulnerable children in quality early childhood education programs are

2 times

more likely to attend college