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I_I_SchoolReadiness_2022A 07/26/2022 09:02:48 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS
Date 07/26/2022
Attendance
Kipp X
Kirkmeyer E
Van Beber X
Zenzinger X
Buckner X
Sirota X
Time 09:02:48 AM to 03:16:21 PM
Place HCR 0112
This Meeting was called to order by Sirota
This Report was prepared by Matthu Beck
Hearing Items Action Taken
Workforce-related Legislative Updates from the CO Department of Early Childhood Committee Discussion Only
Early Childhood Worker Apprenticeships Committee Discussion Only
Community Innovation and Resilience for Care and Learning Equity (CIRCLE) Grants Committee Discussion Only
Updates from the Colorado Department of Higher Education Committee Discussion Only
Lunch break Committee Discussion Only
Impacts of Family Indicators and Economic Challenges on Children’s Mental and Physical Health Committee Discussion Only
Supporting the General Health and Wellness of Children and Families Committee Discussion Only

Workforce-related Legislative Updates from the CO Department of Early Childhood - Committee Discussion Only
09:03:38 AM  
Stephenie Hickman, Early Childhood Education
(ECE) Recruitment and Retention Manager, gave an overview of the Colorado
Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) Workforce Data Modernization Project.
Whitney LeBouef, Director of Data Integration and Analytics, Colorado Evaluation
and Action Lab, spoke about changes in the size of the ECE workforce over
time. The Department's presentation can be found as Attachment A. Members
of the panel answered questions from the commission. Director LeBouef spoke
about unfilled positions in the workforce.
09:19:45 AM  
Angela Ben-Zekry,
ECE Recruitment and Retention Manager for the CDEC, reviewed the goals
and lead measures for the department for 2022 and 2023. Ms. Ben-Zekry gave
an overview of recruitment and retention actions taken by the CDEC, as
well as workforce data and system improvement efforts.  She answered
questions from the commission members.
09:32:05 AM  
Ms. Hickman spoke
about the Early Childhood Workforce plan.  Sondra Ranum, Director
of ECE Workforce Policy for the Colorado Department of Higher Education,
went over the Universal Pre-K Workforce Strategic plan.



Early Childhood Worker Apprenticeships - Committee Discussion Only

09:56:02 AM  
Julia Brink, QI Program
Coordinator at Red Rocks Community College, gave an overview of apprenticeships
within the Early Childhood Council. Informational handouts were distributed
to the commission and can be found as Attachment B.  Members of the
commission asked follow up questions.
10:09:13 AM  
Ms. Brink continued
to cover details about early childhood educator apprenticeship programs
in the state and answered questions from the commission.
10:23:50 AM  
Dr. Lissanna Follari
presented on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs's early childhood
educator apprenticeship program. Her
presenation can be found as Attachment C.
10:30:48 AM  
Dr. Christi Hein,
Director of Instruction at Western Colorado Community College, presented
on the school's early childhood educator apprenticeship program, including
its strategic plan. Her presentation can be found as Attachment D.
10:45:19 AM  

The commission recessed.
11:04:54 AM  
The commission came
back to order.



Community Innovation and Resilience for Care and Learning Equity (CIRCLE) Grants - Committee Discussion Only
11:05:10 AM  
Angela Rothermel,
Deputy Director, Early Milestones Colorado, gave an update on Community
Innovation and Resilience for Care and Learning Equity (CIRCLE) grants.
 Kacee Miller, Portfolio Director, Early Milestones Colorado, reviewed
common themes for grantees and strategies to recruit and retain the workforce.
Their presentation can be found as Attachment E.



Updates from the Colorado Department of Higher Education - Committee Discussion Only
11:22:12 AM  
Sondra Ranum, Director
of ECE Workforce Policy for the Department of Higher Education (DHE), discussed
the Early Educator Investment Collaborative Grant and the partnership with
Colorado University Denver.  Mitch Karstens, Chief Financial Officer
for DHE, gave an overview of ECE educator funding opportunities. Their
presentation can be found as Attachment F.

Members of the panel answered questions from the commission.



Lunch break - Committee Discussion Only
11:41:36 AM  
The commission recessed
for lunch.
01:31:45 AM  
The commission came
to order.



Impacts of Family Indicators and Economic Challenges on Children’s Mental and Physical Health - Committee Discussion Only

01:33:25 PM  
Melissa Mares, Director
of Early Childhood Initiatives, Colorado Children's Campaign, gave a preview
of the Kids Count in Colorado data book. A copy of her presentation can
be found as Attachment G.  She covered how the pandemic affected data
collection for Kids Count.
01:51:52 PM  
Casey Stockstill,
Research Director, Early Milestones Colorado, gave background information
on the Early Milestone's survey on famiy economic challenges, and spoke
about childcare costs and supplemental program usage. Her presentation
can be found as Attachment H. Comments were shared on how the pandemic
has affected families and childcare.
02:07:48 PM  
Members of the panel discussed programming
and policy changes needed to boster children's mental and physical health.



Supporting the General Health and Wellness of Children and Families - Committee Discussion Only

02:10:31 PM  
Taran Schneider,
Executive Director, Healthy Child Care Colorado, gave a summary of the
organization's mission and strategies.  She spoke about different
programs provided by Healthy Child Care Colorado. Her presentation can
be found as Attachment I.  Members of the commission asked follow
up questions.
02:26:43 PM  
Ms. Schneider continued
to share data and recommendations for improvement.
Members of
the commission asked follow up questions.
02:30:07 PM  
Lorena Garcia, Executive
Director, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, gave an overview of the
organization, the programs it runs, and potential future challenges.
02:57:32 PM  
Dr. Lisa Schlueter,
Colorado Department of Early Childhood, gave background information on
mental health of young children, their families, and childcare providers,
and shared information about the Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
Program. She covered program data from the past year. Her presentation
can be found as Attachment J.
03:12:58 PM  
Dr. Schlueter discussed
how to further the ECMH consulataion program's reach.  Members of
the panel answered questions from the commission.


03:16:21 PM   The committee adjourned.






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