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 address workforce shortages in Jefferson County, Cornerstone 1 partners developing a career pipeline and resources for all types of early childhood educators (and prospective early childhood educators) to move into the best fit role within the field.
- Create a map and local resources to support understanding of clear career pathways for multiple types of providers (center-based, licensed in-home care, school district, FFN, license exempt, lead teacher, mentor, director, infant supervisor, etc.)
- Grow the local talent pool for early educators using innovative strategies to entice interest in entering the field, including exploring incentives and talent pipeline management cohorts.
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 building a central hub for Jeffco early childhood educators where they can find out how to qualify for and access benefits and resources 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.