Families have a variety of high-quality early care and education options that meet their needs, provided through a mixed-delivery system.

*Enrichment programs and activities may include library reading programs, before- and after-school programs, summer camps, and child care. 

Goal 1: Support Colorado Universal Preschool Implementation (UPK) in collaboration with Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

Goal 2: Support multi-year statewide initiative, led by Gary Community Ventures and a group of Colorado funders, aimed at making child care more affordable for low- and middle-income families in Colorado. This multi-year initiative aims to elevate the need for affordable child care and build the public and political will among stakeholder groups to support child care affordability leading up to the eventual passage of a 2026 ballot measure to unlock approximately $400M-$600M in annual public revenue dedicated to lowering the cost of child care.

Goal 1: Increase collaboration with existing groups already working on solving the childcare crisis in Clear Creek County, such as Expanding Early Care & Learning in Clear Creek, and support the launch of Mountain Kids in Gilpin County, including UPK registration.

• Support a series of community events (AQUA) designed to share information and develop funding strategies to expand Early Childcare resources in Clear Creek County.
• Host an Early Childhood Meet & Greet in Gilpin County to provide ECE resources on child care licensing, support for FFN caregivers, opportunities for parents to find summer care for their children, and/or to form FFN arrangements.

Goal 1: To address workforce shortages in Jefferson County, this group is developing a career pipeline and resources for all types of early childhood educators (and prospective early childhood educators) to provide concrete support and encourage providers to attain and maintain their desired role within the field.

In collaboration with Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce, TBF will collaborate to grow the local talent pool for early educators using innovative talent pipeline management strategies. With workforce data and analysis as the foundation, the Talent Pipeline Management (TPM) mini cohort will identify specific gaps in the local early childhood workforce and collaborate closely with employers, educators, and other workforce professionals to strategically connect or develop education opportunities to fill those specific gaps. In addition, the TPM mini cohort will work to identify ways to improve wage levels in the field.

Goal 2: To support workforce retention and bridge the income and cost of living gap for those already in the field, this group is creating a central location for curated resources for Jefferson County early childhood educators. Educators will be able to find everything they need to qualify for and access benefits and services through an in-process collaboration with 2-1-1 Colorado. Examples of resources include affordable housing, SNAP/food pantries, Medicaid, CCCAP, mental health, low-cost medical appointments/physicals, paid family leave, tax credit information, PDIS resources/guide, scholarships, financial assistance, workforce center, and discounted rates on services and recreation.

Goal 2: Increase enrichment opportunities for families with children under 5.

• Support the establishment of a Parenting book club in partnership with Rec Center and Jefferson Center.
• Support expansion of recreation center toddler times.