Colorado Association for the Education of Young ChildrenCAEYC, a professional membership organization, serves and acts on behalf of early childhood educators through advocacy, leadership and professional development.
Colorado Children's Campaign
The Colorado Children's Campaign was established in 1985 as a statewide nonprofit organization. Since then, it has been the leading bi-partisan voice for children from the state capitol to communities across the state, focusing on expanding access to quality healthcare, early childhood experiences and K-12 education.
Colorado Department of Education
The Colorado Department of Education (CDE) is the administrative arm of the Colorado State Board of Education. With an organizational commitment to high standards, challenging assessments, and rigorous accountability measures, CDE serves the preK-12 public education, adult education and family literacy, and library communities of Colorado. For contact information for districts, schools, and libraries, please consult the Education and Library Directory.
Comparison of Standards
The Colorado Crosswalk of Federal and State Requirements for Early Childhood Education Services shows key elements of Head Start and other state and national program standards. The database also can serve as an at-a-glance resource for identifying differences and similarities among different standards, as well as a springboard for determining ways to overcome barriers to successful early education partnerships.
Colorado Head Start State Collaboration OfficeThe intent of the Head Start-State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) is to facilitate Head Start's involvement in the development of state policies and plans that affect low-income families, as well as to encourage Head Start agencies to collaborate with entities at the state level. The HSSCO serves as a state liaison between the Head Start Regional Office and the local Head Start grantees.
Early Childhood Connections
Any child, under the age of 3 years, with a suspected developmental delay may be referred to Early Childhood Connections for a free developmental evaluation. All services provided by Early Childhood Connections are provided at no cost to families. Services are usually provided in the familyıs home or child care center based on the developmental needs of the child and the desires of the family. To connect with Early Childhood Connections in the county where the child resides, call the toll-free statewide number at 1-888-777-4041 or visit their website.
Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center - ECLKC
The ECLKC offers relevant, timely information, knowledge and learning to Head Start programs and the early childhood community in an easy-to-use format. It will grow and evolve over the next several years and is designed to be a comprehensive resource for anyone involved with or interested in early childhood education.
National Head Start Association
The National Head Start Association is a private not-for-profit membership organization dedicated exclusively to meeting the needs of Head Start children and their families. It represents more than 1 million children, 200,000 staff and 2,700 Head Start programs in the United States. The Association provides support for the entire Head Start community by advocating for policies that strengthen services to Head Start children and their families; by providing extensive training and professional development to Head Start staff; and by developing and disseminating research, information, and resources that enrich Head Start program delivery.
National Indian Head Start Directors Association
The National Indian Head Start Directors Association promotes and supports quality, comprehensive early childhood development and family-centered services for American Indian and Alaska Native people in the United States and Canada.
National Association for the Education of Young ChildrenThe National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization.
Office of Head Start/DHHS
Head Start is a national program that promotes school readiness by enhancing the social and cognitive development of children through the provision of educational, health, nutritional, social and other services to enrolled children and families.
Qualistar
Qualistar Early Learning is a statewide non-profit organization working with child care providers, parents, and communities to improve the quality of early childhood education in Colorado.
Smart Start Colorado
This is the start of a statewide commitment to young children that will pay off in high school, college and beyond
Scientific research is very clear: the more children learn before the age of 8, the more successful they will be at 18... at 28... at 38... Smart Start Colorado is the smartest way to pool our resources, our thinking and our people to make sure our children get off to the best start. We are a single, simple resource that will help parents, educators, businesses and advocates find out what is available and how to be involved. We are a movement of committed professionals and parents determined to make Colorado the best place to raise a family. Smart Start Colorado partners are state and local early childhood councils, agencies, organizations and associations working together to create a better system of early childhood supports and services for children birth to age eight and their families.
The CDHS Responsible Fatherhood Initiative
In October 2006, the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS), Colorado Works Division was awarded a $10 million federal grant over five years to strengthen father/child relationships and improve parenting. Colorado is one of two locations nationwide, including Washington, D.C., to receive this grant.