Child Care Provider Resources
Colorado Department of Education has put together general and specific resources to assist with information about issues regarding children and youth in the state and are available from various Colorado government agencies. Print publications may also be borrowed. cde.state.co.us/stateinfo/slstpfocusbiblio
Colorado Office of Early Childhood (OEC) – Provides all information for families and providers on rules and regulations, resources and supports for children birth thru 8 years. coloradoofficeofearlychildhood.com
Child Find: Services, including preschool, are provided at no cost to families for children age three and up with developmental delays. First, you will need to know the school district where you live. Visit GreatSchools, search by zip code to determine your school district and call to confirm. Ute Pass BOCES** 719.685.2166 greatschools.org
Early Learning and Developmental Guidelines (ELDGs) are a valuable resource for caregivers to better understand child development. Check out their brief videos specifically addressing the development of babies and children ages birth-eight. earlylearningco.org/parents-caregivers
FEMA Emergency Management Institute – Provides free required training for child care providers for emergency management. Required class is Multi Hazard Planning for Child Care. https://training.fema.gov/
Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) – For Providers to access training, coaching, funds and more. Coloradoshines.com
Colorado Shines Professional Development Information System (PDIS) – An online state supported system that provides training and credentialing opportunities for early childhood providers – most free of charge. Coloradoshinespdis.com
The Resource Exchange (TRE) provides early intervention services at no cost to families who have a child under three with a developmental delay. Behavior Supports An Early Childhood Specialist will come to the child care center, family child care home, or preschool for assessments and meetings, and/or meet parents in their home to provide coordinated services for families and providers of children birth-eight years old who are showing disruptive behaviors in a school setting. 719.577.9190 Tre.org
Pikes Peak Family Child Care Association – Provides a community of practice and support including trainings and monthly meetings. cosfamilychildcare.com
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) is the hub of child care information in your local area and can provide you and your family with information on quality child care and personalized referrals for providers based on your specific needs/preferences. 1.877.338.2273
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is a resource for educators and providers on best practices for early learning. The site includes research, trainings, professional communities and more. Naeyc.org
Translation Services for ECE professionals:
GlobeLink: Interpretation and translation various languages. 719.532.0300 globelinkflc.com
ASI, Inc.: Interpretation and translation various languages. 719.314.1699 asi-languageservices.com
Sign Language Network: 719.599.4517 signlanguagenetwork.com
Provider and Family Resources
Community Partnership Family Resource Center– Offers emergency assistance to families in need, GED prep classes and testing, parenting classes & workshops, playgroups, Parents as Teachers and more. Cpteller.org
Diversus Health (formerly AspenPointe) provides behavioral health care for individuals and families. Accepts Medicaid. Open 24/7. Phone links on website. Crisis Line: 844.493.8255 | Text: TALK to 38225 Health First Colorado is Colorado’s Medicaid Program, offering dental (DentaQuest) & medical coverage. Apply online. Diversushealth.org
Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+) is Colorado’s low-cost health & dental insurance (DentaQuest) for eligible children and pregnant women. It’s for people who earn too much to qualify for Colorado’s Medicaid Program, but not enough to pay for private health insurance. Apply online. healthfirstcolorado.com
Peak Vista Community Health Centers is a nonprofit Federally Qualified Health Center providing medical, dental, pharmacy, and behavioral health care for all ages. Uninsured receive care on an income-based sliding scale; Medicaid is accepted. Call 719.632.5700 for their customer service & nurse line for non-urgent medical needs 24/7. peakvista.org
First Visitor provides free, one-on-one support for moms and dads with children ages birth to three, in the comfort of their own home. 719.632.5700
Ronald McDonald Care Mobile delivers free medical and dental services to children birth-21 in their own neighborhood. 719.866.6789
Peak View Behavioral Health provides behavioral health care to patients and families through both inpatient and outpatient care. For a free 24/7 confidential assessment, call 719-444-8484. peakviewbh.com
Special Kids Special Families/Zach’s Place (SKSF) is a Colorado non-profit 501(c)3 organization. SKSF was founded in 1998 to provide respite and care for children and adults with disabilities and special needs. Various programs offer community support services to families and are designed to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities throughout their life span. sksfcolorado.org
Women, Infant and Children Program (WIC) provides qualifying women and children with supplemental food, education on nutrition topics, and referrals to community programs. For an appointment, call 719.578.3199.
Nurse Family Partnership (NFP) provides in-home visits that improve the health, well-being, and self-sufficiency of low-income, first-time parents and their children in El Paso and Teller counties. Home visits begin with women during pregnancy and continue until their child is two years old. Additional services offered include immunizations, the Family Planning Clinic, and screenings for your child’s development and special health care needs. nursefamilypartnership.org
Lutheran Family Services, The SafeCare Colorado Program offers in-home, voluntary services that support families in gaining skills to provide a safe home, address child health needs, and engage in positive interactions with their children ages five and under. Families can choose to start with one SafeCare® topic, which takes about six sessions to complete, before deciding if they want to continue with the other topics. Completing the entire program typically takes four to six months. 719.368.7005
Safe Kids Colorado Springs and Children’s Hospital Colorado offers car seat clinics, safety checks, and free or reduced cost car seats. Colorado state law requires that children ride in a federally approved car seat or booster that is appropriate for the child’s age, height, and weight. Visit Colorado Department of Transportation for specific guidelines and FAQs. 719.305.7233
Safe2Tell provides a way to anonymously report anything that concerns or threatens you, your friends, your family or your community. You may call 1-877-542-7233 or submit a report online. safekids.org/coalition
Shandy Clinic offers speech, physical, and occupational pediatric therapy. Doctor referrals are required and Medicaid is accepted. 719.597.0822 shandyclinic.com
Colorado Child Abuse and Neglect is an anonymous hotline to report suspected child abuse and neglect. 844.264.5437 or Childabusereport@elpasoco.com
TESSA provides a variety of services and supports to individuals who are experiencing or have experienced domestic abuse. Services include Safe Houses, Victim Advocacy, and Counseling for Women and Children. 24-Hour Crisis Line: 719.633.3819 tessacs.org
The Arc Pikes Peak Region promotes and protects the human rights of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and actively supports their full inclusion and participation in the communities of the Pikes Peak region, through education, a guardianship program, advocacy, and social events. In 2020, The Arc Pikes Peak Region will open an inclusive personal development center called Building for Change, featuring a teaching kitchen, library, computer lab, multipurpose room, and more, for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. They also ensure that students with disabilities receive the services and accommodations they need, and that parents know their rights in the Individualized Education Plan (IEP) process. Educational advocates work to de-mystify the Special Education process and assist your family in 504 and IEP meetings; help you understand your rights under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) Laws; help you navigate education programs for your child with disabilities, from early intervention to transition; provide free, monthly parent workshops to explain the best methods and procedures to help your child; and create inclusive school environments through comprehensive IEPs. thearcppr.org
Zero To Three’s approach to parent education is based on the belief that parents are the true experts on their children, and that there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to raising children. The information and tools they offer are designed to support parents in developing their own ways to promote their children’s growth and development. zerotothree.org
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL) is focused on promoting the social emotional development and school readiness of young children birth to age 5. Family tools and training modules are available.
csefel.vanderbilt.educsefel.vanderbilt.edu/resources/family.html
Reading Success Movement can help your child become a successful reader. Learn the secrets of how fun and engaging Read-Talk-Play activities can give your child the magic of reading. trsmovement.org
Read Aloud is a national campaign to encourage 15 minutes of reading daily. Reading is the “single most important activity” parents can do to prepare their child for learning. readaloud.org
Love Talk Play addresses how to make the most of a parents role as their child’s first teacher. Learn more about how love, talk, and play are important to your child’s development. lovetalkplay.org
Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind (CSDB) is a state-funded school within the Colorado Department of Education. The school was established for the purpose of providing comprehensive educational services for children, birth to age 21, who are blind/visually impaired and/or deaf/hard of hearing. Services are provided directly to students enrolled at the school, and outreach programs serve students, staff, and families in communities throughout Colorado. 719.578.2100
Parents Challenge is a program dedicated to helping parents learn about their education options for their children Kindergarten through Senior year in high school. Qualifying participants can receive reimbursement for educational costs. 719.306.8557 parentschallenge.org
Kidpower of Colorado offers comprehensive safety education programs in several formats for children 4-18 and parents. Kidpower programs are developmentally and culturally appropriate; local classes are delivered in English, Spanish, and Sign Language. 719.520.1311 kidpowercs.org
Peak Military Care Network connects our community’s military service members, veterans, and their families to the highest quality resources provided by our trusted community partners. Service members, veterans, and family members are able to receive help from PMCN by phone, online or in person. 719.577.7417 pmcn.org