Cornerstone 1: Quality Early Care & Education
Families have a variety of high-quality early care and education options that meet their needs, provided through a mixed-delivery system.
three primary strategies 
1. Planning & Funding
Develop an implementation plan and secure a dedicated public funding stream for universal preschool and other early care and education initiatives.
2. ECE Workforce Initiatives
Recruit, retain, and support a qualified early care and education workforce across child care and preschool settings.
Read more below.
3. Enrichment Programs
Ensure school-district and community-based enrichment programs and activities* are accessible to all across the continuum of prenatal to age 8.
*Enrichment programs and activities may include library reading programs, before- and after-school programs, summer camps, and child care.
Advancing Strategy 2 - Recruit, retain, and support a qualified early care and education workforce across child care and preschool settings
Goal 1: To tackle workforce shortages in Jefferson County, Cornerstone 1 partners are leveraging data to develop innovative strategies aimed at expanding the local talent pool for early educators. Their long-term objective is to spark interest in the field while promoting enhancements in teachers’ salaries and benefits.
Goal 2: To support workforce retention and bridge the income and cost of living gap for those already in the field, Cornerstone 1 partners are developing a wellness and support page for Jeffco early childhood educators. The My Friend Ben tool and drop-down menus offer information on how to qualify for and access benefits and services such as affordable housing, SNAP/food pantries, Medicaid, CCCAP, mental health, low-cost medical appointments/physicals, paid family leave, tax credits, PDIS resources, scholarships, financial assistance, workforce center, and discounted rates on services and recreation. Please check back frequently as we build out these resources in full.