Welcome to
El Paso County's Early Childhood Council
We are here to support you!
To promote the community’s health and safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Alliance for Kids physical office is closed, but staff are working remotely and available to assist you! Please contact our Help Line: 719.205.2691
We send important email updates to all early care and education programs and family child care homes. If you are not receiving them, please contact: AMcKibben@allianceforkids.org.
To continue providing services and supports to the early learning community as your Early Childhood Council and local Child Care Resource & Referral agency, we are providing virtual participation options for select meetings, training, events, and you are welcome to contact our staff for assistance. Please visit our pages below for more information:
Alliance for Kids is now accepting appointments for supply pick up on July 30, August 1, 6, 8, 13, and 15. Click the link to see available supplies.
As a child care provider, you play an important role in keeping families, children and communities safe. The health and safety of children, families, staff and child care providers is of the utmost importance. Child care programs provide an essential support for children in their care as well as for working families. Use this Resource Guide to update your program’s practices in response to COVID-19. For a Town Hall Q/A with Mary Anne Snyder from the Office of Early Childhood discussing the Resource Guide, click the button above. Be sure to check out the links in the Guide for additional information and guidance. Continue to consult with your licensing specialist, early childhood council and local public health agency. Also, please continue to update your status in the Provider Portal.
Our Vision
The Vision of Alliance for Kids to make El Paso County the best place to raise a child is realized through the collaborative efforts of community leaders from early care and education, health, mental health, and family support programs. These individuals come together as members of the AFK Council to ensure that families thrive and ALL children develop their potential.
Our Mission
Individuals, organizations, businesses, advocates, and community members - all working together to improve the lives of children and families.
Alliance for Kids is here to assist providers, leaders, teachers, or those pursuing a career in early childhood education.
We support parents & caregivers with resources to build strong families. This includes extended family, guardians, and foster care providers.
Questions & Answers
to help you get started...
Alliance for Kids can help parents and families looking for quality child care. We are not a provider, but we can connect you with the resources and information you will need to get started. Please call us, or visit our Finding Quality Child Care page under the Parents & Families menu for more details. If you need financial assistance, you will find information on programs.
Alliance for Kids maintains a calendar of parenting classes. Visit FamilySPEAK under the Parents & Families menu for more information or go directly to FamilySPEAK.org.
Please visit our Opening a Child Care page for complete details. If you are required to be licensed, are interested in Pre-Licensing classes, or need other support, contact our Quality Initiatives Lead Supervisor.
Yes. Alliance for Kids offers scholarships depending upon the need of each student. Our Professional Development Specialist can provide guidance. Visit the Scholarships page under Providers | Leaders | Teachers.
Alliance for Kids can help early care and education programs and family child care providers with both aspects of Colorado Shines. Whether it’s the Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS) or the Professional Development Information System (PDIS), we are here to assist you! Visit the Quality Programming tab under Providers | Leaders | Teachers for more details and contact information for staff that can assist you.
If you are looking for the one place to connect with local partners engaged in the early childhood conversation, join us for the next Community Network meeting! Mark your calendar for the third Thursday in January, April, July, and August. Visit our our Calendar page for meeting details/topics and to RSVP. Don’t miss your chance to connect and network with community partners and learn about local opportunities as well as statewide efforts in the field of early childhood.
“Connecting and networking for the purpose of taking action.”
Our newsletters are monthly and provide early childhood information, professional development opportunities, and information for families.
News
For ALL news stories, click HERE.
Public Health Update | Mask Mandate Clarification & Preschools in Schools
Alliance for Kids is sharing the following updates and reminders from El Paso County Public Health (EPCPH). Statewide Mask Mandate:
APPLY TODAY! Inclusion and Universal Design in Child Care Programs
Licensed child care programs are encouraged to apply for a program to promote inclusive learning environments. The PDG Inclusion and Universal
Quality Improvement Grants are NOW OPEN! Apply Today!
Applications are OPEN for Colorado Shines Quality Improvement Grants and Hardship Quality Improvement Grants. For eligibility requirements, application instructions, and
New Grant Opportunity | Keep the Lights On Fund
A new grant opportunity – Keep the Lights On Fund – is now available to licensed family child care homes,
Upcoming Events
Community Resource Directory
Your Guide to local resources and supports for parents, Caregivers, and families.
Thanks to the generosity of QuestionPro and its online survey platform, we are able to collect responses and distribute vital information to participants. QuestionPro provides unparalleled insights and just launched enterprise features including Communities, Customer Experience, Workforce and Mobile.
