Child Care Innovations

Thank you for your interest in the Colorado Shines Brighter CDA Scholarship. The CDA credential is a key stepping stone on the path of career advancement in Early Childhood Education.  The credential is administered to ensure that CDA educators understand all aspects of child development; emotional, physical, intellectual and social.  The credential is nationally and now globally recognized.

2023 CDA APPLICATION

Applications will be reviewed monthly and responses will be sent no later than the 15th of each month.

To apply for the grant there are two steps:

1.  Apply for the grant here.

2.  Complete needed information for grant processing here.

If you have any questions, please call 303-914-6584 or email julia.brink@rrcc.edu

Child Development Associate (CDA) Statewide Scholarship Program

No prior work experience is required, however, you must have a high school diploma, GED, or be enrolled as a junior or senior in high school career and technical program in early childhood education to qualify for a scholarship.

To be eligible, you cannot have a prior conviction of a felony child abuse, or a felony offense involving unlawful sexual behavior.

For new CDA candidates, if awarded, you will receive funding for CDA training costs (up to $600) and the CDA assessment fee ($425).

For renewal CDA candidates, if awarded, the scholarship can pay for the renewal assessment fee ($125).

All scholarship recipients will receive coaching support.

*Payments will be made directly to the training program and to the Council for Professional Recognition, except in special circumstances.

CDA Timeline:

Child Care Innovations Child Care Development Associate Credential

CDA Study Plan Child Care Innovations

Target Goal 1: Attain CDA Scholarship

Apply Anytime Complete the CDA Application

16th of each month Receive/ Confirm letter of acceptance, denial, or waitlist

Goal 2: Pick a CDA Program

1 week after letter CDA Coach will contact you.

within 1 week of meeting coach Register at CDACouncil.org

within 1 week of meeting coach Pick your education program.

3-5 days after picking program Red Rocks pays for the program.

3-5 days after program is paid You will receive an email to begin.

Goal 3: Begin & Complete Coursework

within 90 days of start date Complete 60 hours of the program

within 180 days of start date Complete an additional 60 hours of the program

by 5 months of start date If needed, file for an extension at this time.

by 6 months of start date Complete 480 hours of experience

Goal 4: Becoming a CDA

by 6 months of start date Complete portfolio creation

by 6 months of start date Complete CDA observation

by 6 months of start date Complete CDA Test

by 9 months of start date Submit required documents to Coach

Please Note: This program requires monthly meetings with a CDA specialist to track program progress and provide support.

This program is designed for all participants to complete their training and portfolio within 6 months of their orientation meeting.  Participants will work closely with their ECE Site Coach to develop a timeline for successful completion.

***Regular meetings with an ECE Site Coach are a requirement of the scholarship program.  Failure to meet this requirement may lead to loss of additional funding.

The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is excited to offer a solution for Early Childhood Professionals who are not able to complete the final observation for the CDA due to the Council for Professional Recognition not currently allowing virtual observations and Colorado Public Health Guidance not permitting in-person observations.  Click HERE to view the Waiver available for Early Childhood Professionals seeking CDA Certification.

TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE CHILD CARE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALIST FEDERALLY REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM, PLEASE READ THROUGH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION.

To apply for the Apprenticeship Program, please click here

The Childcare Development Specialist Apprenticeship allows job seekers and early learning professionals to choose their own path to become early childhood  teacher/director qualified while learning on the job skills with on-site support.

This program allows teachers to work together with support from their employer and mentor teacher to increase quality within their early childhood programs. Apprentices work collaboratively with support to develop professional development plans to fit the needs of today’s workforce

Who Should Apply?

¨ Have you ever dreamed of working with  young children or joining the field of Early Childhood Education and do not know where to start?

¨ Are you a current early childhood professional looking to increase quality in your early childhood program with support in developing skills in the classroom?

¨ Are you looking to further your education with little or no cost to you?

¨ Do you have previous education and experience that you are looking to apply towards your early childhood teacher qualifications?

¨ Are you looking to be a part of a national movement in early care and learning?

¨ Are you looking for increases in compensation as an early childhood professional?

Apprenticeship Candidates must be:

¨ 16 years of age or older

¨ Employed or willing to be employed full time at an early childhood program

¨ Shows a commitment to the quality of care they provide

¨ Willing to make a 2 year commitment

¨ Willing and able to meet all applicable licensing and employer requirements

Benefits of Apprenticeship:

¨ Receive ongoing coaching and support while obtaining skills within your program

¨ Qualify for FREE and low cost training opportunities.

¨ Stipends and information on scholarship opportunities. (when available)

¨ Receive recognition from the Untied States Department of Labor as a Certified Child Care Development Specialist

¨ Become early child hood teacher/ director qualified

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop

and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom

instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential. It includes:

· Paid Job - Apprentices are paid employees who produce high-quality work while they learn skills that enhance their employers' needs.

· On-the-Job Learning- Develops skilled workers through structured learning in a work setting.

· Classroom Learning - Improves job-related skills through education in a classroom setting (virtual or in-person).

· Mentorship - Provides apprentices with the support of a skilled worker to assist and enhance critical hands-on learning.

· Credentials - Offers a portable, nationally-recognized credential to be issued at the completion of the program.

How long does it take?

The program is designed to be a 2 year program and can vary based on pervious experience

and education.

Are college courses required?

No, college courses are not required. Recommendations will be made for Related Technical

Instructions based upon the individuals training needs.

What are the benefits for the employer?

· support for teachers in classroom

· assistance to get staff qualified

· staff commitment to the program

· recognition in the community of your participation in federally registered  apprenticeship program

Who is eligible?

· 16 years of age or older

· Employed or willing to be employed full time at an early childhood program

· Shows a commitment to the quality of care they provide

· Willing to make a 2 year commitment

· Willing and able to meet all applicable licensing and employer requirements

How much does it cost?

The cost is free and funding is provided.

Funding Supports Provided for:

• Employers:

O Receive $1000 when an apprentice completes probationary period

o Funds to cover substitute costs to support apprentice training and mentoring time.

• Mentors:

o Funds to cover costs of training to become a qualified mentor. Mentor teacher course at Red Rocks Community College

o $500 stipends provided twice a year for experienced teachers servicing as mentors.

• Apprentices:

o Up to $1500 per semester to cover costs associated with education requirements of the apprenticeship program.

o $500 stipend at the beginning of the program to support upfront costs such as child care, living expenses, and other wraparound supports.

o $500 at the completion of the 6-month probationary period.

If you have any questions, please call 303-914-6272.

Click below to read about each:

• Child Care Referrals
• Coordinated Alliance of Resource Exchange Services (CARES)
• Professional Development
• Grants
• Triad Early Childhood Council

Child Care Referrals:
Families may receive free referrals of licensed centers and family child care homes. Using a comprehensive database of over 3,000 facilities, Referral Specialists can provide consumer education and referrals tailored to meet individual family needs.

Referrals may be obtained by calling 1.877.338.CARE.  Through this service, Child Care Innovations serves an annual average of 6,000 families.

Coordinated Alliance of Resource Exchange Services (CARES)
Because we believe in the inherent right of all children to reach their fullest potential, this program provides support to families and early childhood professionals caring for children who have special needs.

A dedicated staff position, the Inclusion Specialist, is available to provide enhanced child care services, connect families with supportive community services, and broker on site services to early childhood professionals to assist in meeting the care needs of the individual child. The Inclusion Specialist works with the family until care is found or resources are exhausted.

CARES provides on site and technical assistance by phone, with an average of 25 receiving on site Resource Visits by a mental health professional to address the needs of children exhibiting emotional or behavioral concerns.

Professional Development:
Child Care Innovations provides a variety of workshops, seminars, conferences, and other educational opportunities.

We offer a "one stop shop" for meeting child care licensing training requirements including pre-licensing, medication administration, universal precautions, First Aid/CPR, and ongoing training related to the Colorado Core Knowledge content areas. Each year over 1,500 early childhood professionals have taken advantage of professional development opportunities conducted or sponsored by Child Care Innovations.

In addition, we operate a Child Care Apprenticeship Program, where participants receive college credit training, on site support, complete the requirements for the Colorado Early Childhood Professional Credential, and receive from the U.S. Department of Labor, a designation as Child Development Specialist. Participants also receive a student support package to assist with the cost of transportation, books, child care, and related expenses.

Child Care Innovations is also available to provide customized on site workshops, seminars or consultation to early childhood programs, community agencies, and employers on a wide range of topics related to child care and work-life issues.

Grants:
Based on local county initiatives, Child Care Innovations manages a variety of programs to provide grants for start up of family child care homes, program quality assessments, and related quality improvements.

Triad Early Childhood Council:
Child Care Innovations provides primary staffing for activities of the Council serving the counties of Jefferson, Clear Creek, and Gilpin.

The Colorado General Assembly originally established the Consolidated Child Care Pilots in 1997 and in 2007 expanded statewide the concept of local early childhood councils. These local councils work to coordinate, collaborate, and consolidate programming to improve the access and quality of early childhood serves across the domains of early care and education, health, mental health, and family support.

Helping parents find child care
We help parents take the guesswork out of choosing care by giving them referrals to local child care providers, information on state licensing requirements, availability of child care subsides and other pertinent information. We provide guidance by phone, in person, fax, mail and Internet.

Supporting families to raise healthy children
Through workshops, hot lines and newsletters, we reach out to parents with trusted, local information that enables them to make informed choices about all aspects of care for their children.

Building the supply of child care
We provide an entry point to the child care field, helping providers meet licensing requirements and become informed on health and safety, business practices and child development. We also work with local and state governments and the private sector to leverage resources for building and maintaining the supply of quality child care.

Improving the quality of child care
We provide ongoing professional development opportunities to child care providers and staff. By supporting accreditation and credentialing programs, helping create financial incentives for education, and advocating for better compensation for providers, we improve the quality of care for all children.

Bridging child care and education
We strive to create child care settings that help children grow and learn. Educating parents about early learning and the components of quality care is a major part of our services.

Documenting child care needs and trends
We are the primary source of information about the local supply and cost of child care. With our comprehensive, well-maintained database, we are able to track trends about the changing needs of families.

Engaging new partners
By reaching out to business leaders, law enforcement, school teachers and others, we help make child care an issue the entire community care about. We collaborate with other family support services to promote a holistic vision of child care that includes health, literacy and special needs.

Telling the child care story
By providing resources, documenting community needs, and creating new ways to meet those needs, we bring the voices of children, families and child care providers to the public.

• Colorado Department of Early Childhood
• Provider Update Form (printable version; return by mail or fax)
• Provider Update Form (editable version; return by email)
• Training on Disaster Preparedness can be found on the Coloardo Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) website.

COVID-19 Health & Safety Toolkit for Colorado Child Care Programs  | Healthy Child Care Colorado

For training classes:   Visit http://www.cciproviderpost.org to register.

Core Child Care Resource and Referral Services include: 

• Helping parents find child care
• Supporting families to raise healthy children
• Building the supply of child care
• Improving the quality of child care
• Bridging child care and education
• Documenting child care needs and trends
• Engaging new partners
• Telling the child care story

Helping parents find child care
We help parents take the guesswork out of choosing care by giving them referrals to local child care providers, information on state licensing requirements, availability of child care subsides and other pertinent information. We provide guidance by phone, in person, fax, mail and Internet.

Supporting families to raise healthy children
Through workshops, hot lines and newsletters, we reach out to parents with trusted, local information that enables them to make informed choices about all aspects of care for their children.

Building the supply of child care
We provide an entry point to the child care field, helping providers meet licensing requirements and become informed on health and safety, business practices and child development. We also work with local and state governments and the private sector to leverage resources for building and maintaining the supply of quality child care.

Improving the quality of child care
We provide ongoing professional development opportunities to child care providers and staff. By supporting accreditation and credentialing programs, helping create financial incentives for education, and advocating for better compensation for providers, we improve the quality of care for all children.

Bridging child care and education
We strive to create child care settings that help children grow and learn. Educating parents about early learning and the components of quality care is a major part of our services.

Documenting child care needs and trends
We are the primary source of information about the local supply and cost of child care. With our comprehensive, well-maintained database, we are able to track trends about the changing needs of families.

Engaging new partners
By reaching out to business leaders, law enforcement, school teachers and others, we help make child care an issue the entire community care about. We collaborate with other family support services to promote a holistic vision of child care that includes health, literacy and special needs.

Telling the child care story
By providing resources, documenting community needs, and creating new ways to meet those needs, we bring the voices of children, families and child care providers to the public.

Child Care Innovations offers many training opportunities.  
The annual Licensing Symposium is happening again in October.  To register please click here.  

Instructors:

Child Care Innovations Child Care Licensing Staff

Join providers from the greater Metro area to get questions answered about Child Care Licensing Rules and Regulations.

What to Expect:

A review of General Rules for Child Care Programs followed by  breakout sessions to review specific rules and regulations for: family child care, child care centers, and school age child care.

Please have your rules & regulations available for reference.

Competencies addressed:

PDL 5.2 Uses local, state, and national professional resources to reflect on, evaluate, and improve professional practices.

PDL 6.1 Identifies and participates in professional opportunities to increase knowledge to improve practices.