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:
- Covid-19 Resources for Providers (Includes some in Spanish)
- Business Resources for Providers
- Grants for Child Care Programs – see NEWS below!
- Resources and Supports for Families
As a child care provider, you play an important role in keeping families, children and communities safe. 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.
A Message of Thanks...
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.
School-Age Child Care Waivers Available
The Colorado Department of Human Services is offering licensed child care centers, family child care homes, and school-age child care centers
Early Childhood Health Outdoors (ECHO) SPACE to Learn Grant
Get Inspired! Get Creative! Get Outdoors! Get Started! Make learning fun and healthy with fast and affordable projects to enhance
NEW Background Check Requirements | Effective September 30th
New Background Check Requirements: Rules to Impact Child Care Centers, School-Age Child Care Centers, Family Child Care Homes and Qualified
Public Health Update | Masks, Ventilation, Exclusion, Sprayers
Statewide Mask Mandate Extended: — On August 14, 2020 Governor Jared Polis extended Executive Order D 2020 164 that requires
Upcoming Events
Community Resource Directory
Your Guide to local resources and supports for parents, Caregivers, and families.
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