IT’S TIME TO REVOLUTIONIZE YOUR CHILD CARE BUSINESS

Do you have a burning desire to make early care and education better for you, your community, and the state?

Have you ever wanted to grow your program and just haven’t had the time, resources, or support?

Are you one of the 44% of providers in Colorado that have rising levels of bad debt and non-payment, or the 70% of providers who struggle to hire and retain amazing staff?

You are not alone! Across the state and country programs and providers are facing ever-increasing challenges. Your ideas for your business could hold potential solutions to not only grow your organization but also to improve the industry. Child Care in Colorado is in crisis – and your ideas could change countless lives for the better.

Apply Today
Info Session

WHAT IS THE CHILD CARE INNOVATION INTENSIVE?

  • 3 month intensive to support expansion or new and innovative child care programs
  • Individualized 1:1 mentoring and focused content
  • $2000 stipend for each participating organization
  • Designed to accelerate the creation and rollout of new programs with measurable results

The Colorado Child Care Innovation Intensive provides a unique opportunity for you to explore, develop, and test new ideas for how to radically shift the way your childcare program operates. 

Your organization will join a small group of not more than 10 providers who will come together with expert mentors, skillful facilitators, and the backing and resources of CDHS-OEC, Gary Community Investments, Mile High United Way, and more, to impact not only your program but improve the state of child care across Colorado.

You’ll virtually meet weekly with experts and 1:1 mentors for 12 weeks between September and December 2021. We’ll work directly with you to iterate, ideate, test, and launch new and innovative programming to immediately impact your ability to provide even more profitable, sustainable, and high-quality care to the children in your community.

Each participating organization will receive a $2000 cash stipend to offset staff coverage and other needs while attending the Innovation Intensive.

Apply Today

PROGRAM DATES

APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Apply for your organization between July 15 and August 13, 2021
  2. Optionally attend our Information Session on the evening of August 9
  3. Meet 1:1 with the program team for 30 minutes
  4. Attend a final screening committee meeting with partners and mentors

PRIORITY APPLICANTS

Any licensed childcare provider (or those with plans to license) in the state of Colorado is welcome to apply. Priority will be given to applicants: Who are majority-owned by Black, Indigenous, People of Color, Veterans, or Women. Who serve communities in childcare deserts, with limited access to providers, funding, and care. In rural areas with a population of less than 50,000 people With limited or no access to capital financing or other federal, state, or local grants/loans.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

For profit or non-profit Licensed Colorado child care providers (or those with plans to license) – Centers, Preschools, and Family Childcare Homes Nonprofits – Colorado nonprofits whose mission and/or programs directly support the childcare industry.

QUESTIONS

Contact the program team directly by emailing [email protected]

Proudly Funded and Supported By:

The project described is supported by the Preschool Development Grant Birth through Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0054-01-00, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Office of Child Care, the Administration for Children and Families, or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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