The 2020 Colorado legislative session began in early-January. Several Councils have already signed on to support legislative bills aimed at helping young children, families, and communities thrive. Check back throughout the legislative session to learn more about bills supported by VFS Prep and Councils.
HB 19-1052: Empower Local Communities to Collaborate for the Delivery of Early Childhood Services
- Background: Child Care-One-time supplemental: $35M for sustainability grants to 2,600 existing providers; $5M for grants to employers to develop 10-20 new on-site child care facilities; $10M for Governor's Child Care Fellows grants to support start-up costs and mentorship for 300 new providers or expanding providers.
- EC Workforce – CDHS R-12- Monetary incentives to supported increased wages for EC teachers and assistant early childhood teachers at eligible providers (CCCAP contract and L3-5 in Shines); 2,400 educators at 375 facilities + $75K evaluation). 3% pay increase on average is estimated (with 10-12% raise for a random selection to study impact).
- EC Workforce – CDHS R-03 - Goal is to fund the legislative intent of HB 20-1053, to offer an early care and education Recruitment and Retention Grant and Scholarship program for 500-600 early childhood professionals and potential professionals to draw from a menu of options, adaptable to local needs to access training for credits, credentials, and degrees.
- Educator Loan Forgiveness – CDHE R-09 - Restore the Educator Loan Forgiveness Program that had been reduced during budget balancing in 2020-21 due to COVID with $2.9M GF. One cohort of 100 teacher receiving 5 years of $5K would be funded by this.