More than 40,000 children and families are benefiting from Colorado's landmark free Universal Preschool (UPK) program. We are proud to support Prop ii on the November ballot, which will allocate excess revenue to UPK and extend additional hours to more children.

#preschool4co

On 2/28, Strong Nation CO hosted our Brain Science Speakers Bureau webinar with Dr. Amelia Bachleda and ReadyNation member, Burnie Zercher. They discussed the importance of brain development in babies and how it can affect all future development. Video: youtu.be/-vbJd7Do8xM

CSA CO will host our Brain Science Webinar on Tues., Feb. 28th, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m MT. Dr. Amelia Bachleda, Director of Outreach and Education at the University of Washington's I-LABS will present on this most relevant topic.

Register here: us02web.zoom.us/webinar/regist…

#brainscience

Renewal of the CO Child Care Tax Credit (CCCTC) is critical to keep child care programs afloat, allowing a 50% tax credit up to $100,000. Letting the credit expire would diminish philanthropic support for these vital programs.
#HB231091 #CCCTC #ChildCare #EarlyChildhood

The Colorado Universal Preschool Program officially opens today! Voluntary programs offer up to 15 hrs of free preschool for children who are eligible.

Find your Local Coordinating Organization: cdec.colorado.gov/colorado-unive…

Governor Jared Polis #upkCO #COkidsandfamilies
denverpost.com/2023/01/16/col…

The TODAY featured home visiting as What Works Today and that MIECHV needs to be reauthorized. Thank you to Rep. Diana DeGette for cosponsoring H.R. 8876 to reauthorize, expand, and strengthen #MIECHV ! #homevisitingworks twitter.com/TODAYshow/stat…

Council for a Strong America Endorses New Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Home Visiting strongnation.org/articles/1994-… via @StrongNationUSA

Texas policymakers must address the needs of the childcare workforce. We encourage the #txlege to take further action on the #ECE infrastructure this coming session bit.ly/3w8IcbY

Join us this Thursday on the south steps of the Texas State Capitol for our newest report release! You will hear from state leaders, #ECE advocate leaders, #lawenforcement , #business & the #military about the importance of the ECE workforce. You won’t want to miss this event!

Reducing Food Insecurity in Colorado Should Be a Back To School Priority for Policymakers. Mission: Readiness report highlights importance of #schoollunches in supporting healthy development and learning.
#cokids #foodinsecurity

strongnation.org/articles/1666-… via @StrongNationUSA

Are you a parent/guardian of a child under 6 living in Colorado? Our partners at Early Milestones want to hear about your experience with child care during the pandemic. Take this 10-minute survey now and you could win a $100 gift card:
earlymilestones.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cY…

HB22-1295 is on its way to the Senate Education committee this Thursday! This bill will enact the new state Department of Early Childhood and Universal Preschool Program. For more information: BetterBeginningsCO.com

#COKids #UniversalPreK #EarlyEducation

Here is a great opinion piece regarding HB 22-1295: Department Early Childhood And Universal Preschool Program and how this bill can ensure support is available for families and providers who need it.

#coloradofamilies #UniversalPreK
coloradosun.com/2022/03/19/ear…

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is looking for an Executive Director to lead its efforts in the delivery of an effective early childhood system in CO.

Click link if interested and qualified. Deadline is 2/23/22.

governmentjobs.com/careers/colora… via Government Jobs

A new statement from Council for a Strong America President & CEO Barry Ford applauds the Build Back Better framework.
#BuildBackBetter #ChildTaxCredit #ChildNutrition
strongnation.org/articles/1764-…

Congratulations to Douglas County School District B.A.S.E. program for a great Lights On Afterschool video!
#afterschoolprograms #LightsOnAfterschool #cokids
youtube.com/watch?v=MSn6Uk…

A second brief issued by Strong Nation CO/ ReadyNation, Colorado Succeeds, and ColoradoEPIC provides business community recommendations for building a child-centered, high quality universal pre-kindergarten program in Colorado.
strongnation.org/documents/1413
#universalpreschool #childcareCO

TODAY at 9:30am MT: Quality preschool and reducing crime go hand-in-hand. Fight Crime members will release a new report on 10/14 explaining why law enforcement leaders have supported #ECE investments for 25 years. Register here: bit.ly/fcik25th #FightCrime25

Tomorrow Fight Crime members will gather virtually to release a new research report in honor of the organization’s 25th Anniversary. Register to join the celebration and hear from law enforcement on the importance of quality #preK Learn more: bit.ly/fcik25th #FightCrime25

Join us tomorrow in celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Fight Crime! Register for this conversation and virtual report release to learn more about the research-supported connection between quality #ECE and public safety. Sign up: bit.ly/fcik25th #FightCrime25