Updates & Resources

Calling All Future Teachers! There are five $1,000 scholarships available to help you finance your path to becoming a lead teacher

If you have ever considered becoming a lead teacher, now is the perfect time to take the next step and apply to a program. Just like us, our partners at TEACH Colorado know what a tremendous impact our staff has on our school community and would like to encourage you to pursue lead teacher qualification or licensure! In addition to scholarships, they will pay up to $100 of your costs to apply! 

Future Early Childhood Teacher Scholarships
Application Deadline: August 31, 2024
We will be awarding $1,000 to four future early childhood educators who get started on a pathway to becoming an early childhood teacher.

Future Early Childhood Teacher Community College Scholarships
Application Deadline: August 31, 2024
We will be awarding $1,000 to a future early childhood educator starting on a Colorado community college pathway.

TEACH Colorado Classic Scholarships
Application Deadline: July 31, 2024
Year-round, TEACH Colorado offers seasonal $1,000 to one individual who goes on to apply to a licensure program (Bachelor’s, Master’s, or alternative licensure) after creating a FREE account.

Questions or requests? We’re here to support your recruitment efforts, no matter what that looks like! Contact Elizabeth Cordova with questions, ideas or requests by email or set up a 1:1 meeting to discuss further.     

More than 4,700 children in statewide universal preschool settings to receive free oral health screenings through funding from Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation

Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation (DDCOF) announced over $1 million to eight local nonprofit organizations across Colorado to integrate oral health as well as screenings and referral within organizations providing universal preschool. The grantees include: Denver Preschool Program, Joint Initiatives for Youth + Families, United Way of Weld County, Early Learning Ventures, Early Childhood Council of San Luis Valley and ECHO & Family Center Early Childhood Council. Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) and Healthy Child Care Colorado (HCCC) were selected to lead the co-creation and implementation of this ambitious project, titled the “Healthy Universal Preschool Collaborative.” Read full press release

State to Provide Additional Funding
for 2024-25 Universal Preschool Providers

Up to $2,500 Also Supports Expansion of Infant/Toddler Care

As part of its ongoing effort to support and expand access to high-quality care and education for all Colorado families, the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) is providing additional funding to providers participating in the 2024-25 Colorado Universal Preschool Program. Read full press release.

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.