The federal government is currently in a shutdown. At this time, there are no immediate impacts to federally funded child and family programs operated by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. Families should continue to access care and services as usual.

We are monitoring the situation closely with federal partners and will share updates as soon as more information becomes available.

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Department of Early Childhood Family Voice Council
The Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) Family Voice Council was formed in August 2021. The Family Voice Council is a diverse group of parents and caregivers of children from across Colorado. Its purpose is to provide input to optimize the design and delivery of early childhood programs and services to ensure all children and families in Colorado are valued, healthy and thriving. The Council has twelve members who are diverse in race, ethnicity, language, geography, lived experience, and includes grandparents and fathers. Each member has unique lived experience caring for a child from birth through age eight. The members' lived experience range from experience in single parenting, caring for a child with a disability, and utilizing a variety of early childhood programs and services. View the Family Voice Council members’ bios.
Department of Early Childhood Family Voice Council

The Vision of the CDEC Family Voice Council is: 

We come together to share our voices, our stories, and our passions to improve the lives of Colorado families and caregivers.

The Purpose of the CDEC Family Voice Council is to:

  • Elevate family voice in policy decisions. Parents and caregivers have opportunities to share their experiences, advocate for their needs, and develop skills in outreach and advocacy.
     
  • Leverage the experience and expertise of parents and caregivers of children birth through age 8 to improve child and family outcomes by providing actionable and strategic feedback to the CDEC and Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC).
     
  • Serve as a sounding board for the CDEC and others in the early childhood system and creates change in early childhood systems.
     
  • Increase family involvement and participation in the design and delivery of early childhood programs. This is key to having policies and programs that support families’ strengths and needs and results in better outcomes for children and families.
     
  • Create opportunities for parent and caregiver leadership development.
     
  • Create connections between parents and caregivers to share knowledge and resources.
     
  • Create opportunities for members to connect to the CDEC, its partners, staff, programs, and efforts.
     
  • Align with other parent committees, groups, and initiatives, and their respective work and membership.

If you or someone you know would be interested in serving on the Family Voice Council please have them complete our online form available in Online Form (English) or Online Form (Spanish) or download and share our flyer in Flyer (English) and Flyer (Spanish).  Compensation is available for members.

For more information about the CDEC Family Voice Council, please contact Amanda Culbertson, Family Engagement Manager, at amanda.culbertson@state.co.us.

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Raising Colorado Kids Guide is brought to you by the Colorado Office of Early Childhood.

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdhs_oec_communications@state.co.us

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Raising Colorado Kids is brought to you by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood.

For general help, call 1-800-799-5876 or email  cdec_communications@state.co.us

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