Updates & Resources

New Business Guides
For Early Care and Education Providers

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is excited to share two new resources: 

• Business Guide for Family Child Care Homes (en español) 
• Business Guide for Child Care Centers (en español) 

These guides offer family child care home providers and child care centers, as well as those interested in expanding or starting new programs, a collection of resources to strengthen their small businesses. Early care and education providers are essential to the children and families they serve, their communities, and our state. The Business Guides were developed, through stakeholder focus groups, to make the business side of providing early care and education services easier. 

Attention Child Care Health Consultants:

Here are some great resources to support you and your child care programs during this busy respiratory season.

Illness Resources

• Respiratory Virus Communications Toolkit from CDPHE

Vaccine Resources

• Influenza and COVID-19 Vaccination: Provider Toolkit

• Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination toolkit for businesses

• Champions for Vaccine Equity| Colorado COVID-19 Updates

COVID-19 Vaccines for Children Under 5

• The FDA has authorized COVID-19 vaccines for children as young as 6 months old. Vaccines for children under 5 years of age will be available in Colorado started on Wednesday, June 22.
• Many vaccine providers are taking appointments for this age group in advance. Find a list of vaccine providers for young children, or use the map on our vaccine finder page to find a provider near you.
• Beginning June 22, all mobile vaccine clinics will have vaccines for younger children. Find an appointment at a mobile clinic.
• If you need a follow-up dose, ask about getting one at the time of your child’s vaccination. Many providers offer follow-up doses to parents/guardians along with pediatric COVID-19 vaccines.

More information on CDPHE’s page: Vaccines for children and teens | Colorado COVID-19 Updates

Early Intervention Referrals  

Beginning on May 1st, all referrals, and evaluations for children under the age of 3 with developmental concerns or disabilities will be coordinated through Early Intervention Colorado. This means Administrative Unit Child Find teams (Colorado Department of Education/local school districts) will no longer accept referrals for children under age 3. This change was made to ensure equitable access and easier navigation of services for families and providers across the state. 

Making a referral to Early Intervention is easier than ever. 

• Complete the online referral form   
• Call 833-733-3734 (833-REFER-EI) 
• Email GetStartedwithEI@state.co.us 
• Download the referral form and fax to 303-866-5944 
• Contact your local Community Centered Board  

For more information about this change in the referral and evaluation process for children under 3, please look at the frequently asked questions.  

The I Matter program can connect you with a therapist for up to 6 free virtual counseling sessions (some in-person appointments available, too) that are completely confidential. Talking with someone can make you feel better. To start, click on “Youth” below to take a short survey. Be as honest as possible: your answers will help match you with the right therapist.

• If you’re 11 or younger, your parent or guardian must fill out the survey with you.
• Parents, seeking support for your child is not a sign of failure—it’s a sign of strength. 

New Child Care Immunization Policy Toolkit

Immunize Colorado has released a toolkit on immunization policy for Colorado child care programs to support child care administrators in their efforts to comply with state immunization laws and keep students and child care staff protected from vaccine-preventable diseases. Specifically, the toolkit aims to help child care administrators understand Colorado’s child care entry immunization requirements and their role in implementing these requirements. Lear more

Information About the Infant Formula Supply Shortage

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has created a tip sheet on finding baby formula during the shortage, and what you may safely consider if you absolutely can’t find any.

WIC Participants: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service is working with state agencies to provide flexibilities for local Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) programs to help families get the formula they need. Share the following resources with families who may need assistance and connect them with local WIC clinics for guidance:

• Infant Formula Recall and Supply
• Toll-free Numbers for WIC State Agencies
• USDA Contact Map