Colorado's Early Childhood Task Forces

The work of Smart Start Colorado has been coordinated by six task forces. Success in creating a comprehensive early childhood strategic plan is reliant on the diversity of task force membership across disciplines. Accomplishments have been achieved through this task force structure over the past several years.  Priorities and next steps are currently being developed.

Funding and Finances

Focus is to determine a projected cost for the development of the comprehensive and integrated early childhood system. Co-Chairs Nancie Linville, Clayton Early Childhood Resource Institute, and Wendy Watson, Larimer County, have led this task force through the development of an interactive early childhood cost model.  This tool will assist decision makers and policy makers in analyzing and estimating the cost range for different levels of intensity of services for young children.

Public Engagement

Focus is to develop a marketing and strategic communications plan that engages key stakeholders statewide in the strategic planning process and promotes early childhood, in order to increase public support for the comprehensive and integrated early childhood system. Co-Chairs are Jenna Davis, Early Childhood Council Project, Kathryn Hammerbeck, Colorado Child Care Association, and Linda Adams, Colorado Association for the Education of Young Children.

Outcome and Evaluation

Focus is to define the expected outcomes of the comprehensive and integrated early childhood system and systems level standards. Co-Chairs are Jose Esquibel, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Evie Hudak, State School Board.

Policy

The work of this Task Force cuts across all of the goals of Smart Start Colorado, and is currently updating Colorado's Policy Audit.  Co-chairs are Jennifer Landrum, Colorado Children's Campaign and Ken Seeley, Colorado Foundation for Families and Children.

Program Availability

Focus is to identify a core set of quality services and supports available to young children and their families throughout Colorado. A comprehensive early childhood needs assessment toolkit was developed and is located in the Smart Start Colorado Systems Building Toolkit. Co-chairs are Rachel Hutson, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment and Sarah Hoover, JFK Partners.

Parent and Family Leadership

This task force is jointly supported by the Colorado Interagency Coordinating Council and the Early Childhood State Systems Team. The focus is to ensure that families are partners in all aspects of the early childhood system. Co-Chairs are Christy Blakely, Family Voices Colorado, and Eileen Forlenza, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.