Through our partnerships with many child care resources, the Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley has compiled many resources useful to care providers. These links will provide answers to many questions and concerns about providing child care. Enjoy!

Child care providers and the public are increasingly recognizing and supporting the child care/early education field as a distinct and valued profession. The successful elevation of the field hinges on the fact that higher education and specialized training in early childhood education standards are significant indicators of quality care. CORRA supports child care professionals by promoting the quality training and education that is critical to their professional status.

–» Colleges
Links to Colorado colleges that offer Early Childhood courses...learn more

–» Core Knowledge Standards
A comprehensive list of the eight areas of core knowledge that Colorado has identified as necessary for everyone working with young children...learn more

–» Professional Development Resources
Links to national professional development organizations and information on programs that provide support to those pursuing professional development...learn more

Links to Government Agencies & Other Organizations Dealing with Child Care Issues
Please note that some county departments refer to themselves as the Department of Social Services and others as Department of Human Services. They are the same.

–» Division of Child Care (DCC)
Home Page with links to Licensing, Publications, Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)

–» Colorado State Plan for the Child Care and Development Fund

–» Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)
Program provides assistance with child care services to support low-income working families in their efforts toward self-sufficiency.

–» Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment, Division of Prevention & Intervention Services for Children and Youth
Areas of involvement include child-related access to health care, availability of health care, nutrition and health care programs.

–» Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)
Board of Nursing

–» Colorado Dept of Education, Special/Gifted/Pre-K
Includes information on Pre-K/Early Childhood programs and services, Gifted and Talented programs and services, and a link to the Colorado School for the Deaf and the Blind.

–» Colorado State General Assembly Legislative Information Site

–» Colorado State Government Home Page

–» Colorado Counties Departments of Social Services
A listing of all the counties' Departments of Social Services contact information.

–» Colorado Division of Child Care Licensing (CDHS)
Licensing information for child care facilities in Colorado. Contact information to review provider files, report violations or obtain forms.

–» Early Childhood Connections
Colorado's system of services and supports for families who have infants or toddlers, from birth to age three, with disabilities or a condition associated with delays in their development.

–» Head Start
Information from Administration for Children and Families (ACF) on finding a program in your state, getting your child into Head Start, starting a Head Start program, and resources for families and communities.

–» Healthy Child Care Colorado
Information about HCCC, immunization, healthy nurse consultations, and documents that can be downloaded.

–» Healthy Kids, Healthy Care
Healthy Kids, Healthy Care, developed by the National Resource Center for Health and Child Care and Early Education. We know you will be interested in visiting this website because you want your children to be nurtured and safe at all times! .....learn more

–» The Office of Children Youth and Families Services - Colorado

–» State Health Facts Online - Colorado
Kaiser Family Foundation's online statistics for state health issues.

–» HarambeColorado
AKA Harambe, this organization actively demonstrates a commitment to the healthy social, emotional, behavioral, and physical development of all infants, young children and families. It is involved with the mental health needs of young children.

–» Qualistar.org
Educare.org and CORRA.org merged together and formed Qualistar.org (formerly CORRA) a non-profit organization dedicated to coordinating a statewide system of organizations dedicated to enhancing the quality, training and availability of child care in Colorado and to promoting character education in schools and communities. Qualistar's (formerly Educare's) main purpose is to make children aware that their character is their real strength, and that all other acquisitions such as wealth and education is of no real value without character. The Qualistar (formerly Educare) program and its lesson plans are built around this purpose.

–» Colorado Lifespan Respite Coalition
The organization assists families by promoting funding for respite care that provides temporary relief from care-giving for a person caring for a child with disabilities, chronic illness or at risk of abuse. Call Genean Craig: 720.744.5539.

Articles and resources listed above were collected and compiled from ChildCareAware.org and Qualistar.org. For more information on these topics, and more concerning your child's development, child care, health and safety and more, we recommend checking out articles and links on Qualistar.org or ChildCareAware.org.