Updates & Resources

CDPHE Hepatitis B Updates

As of May 15, 2023, titers are no longer acceptable alternatives to hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination and age-appropriate pertussis vaccination required for school entry. This rule change also applies to students who currently have HepB and/or pertussis titers on file. Earlier this year, the state Board of Health approved these rule language changes to 6 CCR 1009-2, The Infant Immunization Program and Immunization of Students Attending School. 

CDPHE developed two parent letters which schools may share with parents/guardians of students with HepB or pertussis titers currently on file.   

CDPHE’s tool: Interpreting the use of titers as an acceptable alternative to some school-required vaccines, which provides guidance for health care providers and school personnel. If you have questions, contact Sara Lopez at sara.lopez@state.co.us. 

2022-2023 School & Child Care Immunization Rates

CDPHE published school and child care immunization and exemption rates from the 2022-2023 school year on Friday, August 4, 2023. Aggregate, de-identified data self-reported to CDPHE by schools and child care providers for the 2022-2023 school year show: 

  • Decreases in kindergarten, K-12, and child care vaccination rates for all vaccines, with the most pronounced decreases observed among kindergartners. 
  • With the exception of hepatitis B (90.7%), immunization rates for school-required vaccines among kindergartners all fell below 90% for the second year in a row.
  • MMR coverage among kindergartners (86.8%) is the lowest since the 2017-2018 school year. 
  • Exemption rates also increased across all school-required vaccines for kindergartens, K-12 schools, and child care facilities from the 2021-2022 school year.

This data may spark questions from parents, guardians, students, and other members of your community. To help answer those questions, CDPHE created a FAQ in English and Spanish and is in the process of finalizing a back-to-school communications toolkit. In the meantime, you can use Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Back to School and National Immunization Awareness Month communication resources, as well as resources from the Public Health Communications Collaborative.
 
The CDPHE data team is also here to help. For questions, email cdphe.dcdimmunization@state.co.us

 

Become a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Advisor!

We are recruiting passionate people to support Colorado’s early childhood programs as a Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care (BFCC) Advisor. BFCC Advisors support programs through the process of obtaining Breastfeeding Friendly Child Care Recognition. Advisors receive support, training, and a stipend for serving in this important role. Click here for more information about this vital program.

 

Pathway to Higher Ed Credit for Pyramid Training

Healthy Child Care Colorado is partnering with the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Education & Human Development and the Department of Continuing and Professional Education to offer higher education credit for the successful completion of the 45-hour Pyramid Plus Approach or Pyramid Model Training.

Are you interested in getting higher ed credit for past completion of Pyramid Training for FREE? Learn more about how you can complete additional steps to receive higher education credit for your previously completed 45-hour Pyramid Plus Approach or Pyramid Model training at no cost to you. Visit our website for more information and contact information.

Are you currently enrolled in a 45-hour Pyramid Training? You can complete this quick Pyramid Higher Ed Interest Form and we will connect with you about the opportunity.

Free tools to support aspiring early childhood educators!

TEACH Colorado has launched a suite of free tools to support aspiring early childhood educators! The resources include an early childhood qualification guide, career entry stipend, application fee reimbursements, and bilingual career advising (with more to come!). TEACH Colorado is building on three years of successful outreach to future Colorado teachers, and currently supports more than 22,000 subscribers who have demonstrated interest in the profession.  

We partner with childcare providers throughout the state to support their recruitment efforts! Please contact Elizabeth Cordova for more information. We hope to learn more about your efforts and how TEACH Colorado may best support your important work to serve Colorado’s students.   

The Right Mix to Support Social-Emotional Health in Early Childhood

Guidance document for community-based organizations to strengthen their selection of available social-emotional health supports.

The guide is for Early Childhood Councils, Family Resource Centers, and other community-based organizations. It is also for child care professionals and program administrators who want to improve the support they provide for children’s social-emotional health. Use this guide as part of a comprehensive process for evaluating and strengthening early childhood mental health services and resources in your community.

Guide

New Business Guides
For Early Care and Education Providers

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

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. 

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.