- Programs to Support Families
- County Departments of Human/Social Services
- Supporting Social-Emotional Development
- CCCAP Administration
- Grantees and Vendors
- Early Childhood Councils
- Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities
- Colorado Shines Brighter (PDG B-5)
- Senate Bill 19-063
- Telehealth, Teleconsultation and Virtual Coaching
Senate Bill 19-063: Concerning a Strategic Action Plan to Address Infant and Family Child Care Home Shortages in Colorado
Background
Licensed infant care has been decreasing since 2010. Additionally, family child care homes, sometimes the only accessible care option for families, have been declining for years. The loss of family child care homes also means the loss of significant numbers of licensed infant care. Although the decrease in family child care homes is consistent with national trends, Colorado currently exceeds the national average in the rate of overall decline. The availability of safe, quality, licensed infant care is critical for working Colorado families. Additionally, family child care homes play an important role in our early childhood care and education system, offering families a smaller environment; the accommodation of nontraditional hours; and convenient, available licensed care where centers do not exist.
In response to these trends, Senate Bill 19-063 requires the Department of Human Services, in consultation with the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC) and various stakeholders, to study the reasons for the declining availability of family child care homes and infant child care. Following this study, a Strategic Action Plan with recommendations to address the shortages was drafted and submitted to the legislature on December 1, 2019.