Early Childhood System

Smart Start Colorado is a statewide alliance of early childhood partnerships building a comprehensive system for young children-birth to eight-and their families. We know that the first few years of a child's life are crucial. Our movement aims to help families make the most of the early years so that children are ready for school and ready for life. We connect early care and education, health, mental health and family support services to create an integrated network at the state and local levels.

For the past several years hundreds of people from across three state agencies (health, education and human services) and dozens of non-profit organizations and coalitions statewide have been collaborating to share best practices, streamline programs, develop shared standards, investigate creative funding strategies and get the word out about the importance of the early years.

In 2005, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment received a three-year grant from the Maternal and Child Health Bureau to fund a Smart Start Colorado Director and launch the initiative statewide. Additionally, our systems building work is funded through the Colorado Department of Human Services Division of Child Care, the Colorado Department of Education and private foundations.

Smart Start Colorado has eight specific goals:
• Goal 1 - Program Quality and Standards
• Goal 2 - Program Availability
• Goal 3 - Parent and Family Engagement
• Goal 4 - Professional and Workforce Development
• Goal 5 - Public Engagement
• Goal 6 - Systems Oversight
• Goal 7 - Accountability
• Goal 8 - Funding and Finance

Voluntary task forces created objectives and deliverables for each goal, resulting in a strategic plan for creating the system. Task forces are led by members of the Early Childhood State Systems Team which is the planning arm of Smart Start Colorado. Implementation of the strategic plan is led by relevant agencies, local early childhood councils and The Early Childhood and School Readiness Commission.