A stronger, better, higher quality system of early childhood services and programs is one of the legacies Governor Ritter and Lieutenant Governor O’Brien want their administration to leave.  Colorado has a long history of partnerships that support early childhood work in this state.  The Early Childhood Colorado framework clearly outlines Colorado’s collective vision on behalf of young children and their families.  The framework defines common outcomes for private and public, state and local partners and facilitates planning, policy change, program creation or expansion, and financial investment.  Under the leadership of the Lieutenant Governor, there are explicit efforts to build and link systems that will guarantee our early childhood work has long lasting, positive impacts on young children and their families and at the state and local levels.  Some specific efforts led by the Office of the Lieutenant Governor include:

P-3 Sub-committee of Governor Ritter's P-20 Education Coordinating Council

This sub-committee focuses on the earliest years of the education continuum, beginning with the years before children enter school (Pre-school) and extending through 3rd grade, transcending the traditional boundaries of early care and education (ECE) and elementary school. 

Head Start-State Collaboration Office

The Head Start-State Collaboration Office (HSSCO) facilitates Head Start's involvement in the development of state policies and plans that affect low-income families, as well as supporting Head Start agencies in their collaboration with entities at the local level.  The HSSCO priority areas include promoting professional development recommendations through initiatives such as the Center for Social Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) Teaching Pyramid Model and Special Quest Colorado.

Early Childhood Councils Advisory Team

The Early Childhood Councils Advisory Team (ECCAT), created by HB07-1062 works to support and strengthen a statewide system of local councils.

Comprehensive Early Childhood Systems-Building

Colorado is one of many states across the nation striving to link early learning, health, mental health, family support, and parent education so that families and children experience a predictable, high-quality continuum of services and supports.  Called "systems-building" work, these efforts also work to align state- and local-level policies across programs, funding streams, and regulatory agencies.

Staff contacts: 

Kristie Kauerz, Early Childhood/P-3 Policy Director
Darcy Allen-Young, Head Start State Collaboration Director
Jeanine Coleman, Early Childhood Specialist / Staff lead to Early Childhood Advisory Council
Jodi Hardin, Early Childhood Systems Specialist