Quality Programming
Colorado Shines
Colorado Shines is a way to improve the quality at your program, including early childhood centers and family child care homes. Additionally, it is a way for families to find quality early childhood programs that meet their individual child care needs.
Visit ColoradoShines.com
We are committed to providing training and technical assistance to help your program reach its Colorado Shines rating goals.
There are other ways that programs can improve their quality that are called “Crosswalks” or “Alternative Pathways.” These are ratings that have been given an equivalent in the Colorado Shines rating system (e.g., NAFCC, NAEYC) and include pathways for school districts with preschool programs.
If you are interested in accessing supports to reach the next level in Colorado Shines, contact Carrie Nelson, Foundations Early Childhood Manager, to discuss available options for your program.
Colorado Shines Quality Improvement Grants are OPEN
There are TWO STEPS to the application process:
First, login to the Provider Hub for Colorado Shines QRIS.
Click on Application.
Click on each tab of the QRIS Quality Application.
Update your site’s information and click Save.
As you complete each tab, scroll to the top to click the “profile complete and ready to submit” box.
Click the Submit Application button.
Second, while still logged in to QRIS, click on Quality Improvement, then click on the QI Incentives tab.
Click on the blue renew or apply button to complete the Grant Application.
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Stimulus Funding | Quality Improvement Incentives
- Programs eligible for this funding must have been licensed AND operating as of March 11, 2021.
- Bonus payments for new and existing programs that increase their quality level.
- Amounts range from $2,000-$2,500 for family homes and centers serving infants and toddlers moving from Level 1 to 2, and $3,500-$4,000 for moving from Level 2 to 3-5.
How to access funds:
- Programs apply through the existing Colorado Shines QRIS system.
- The expected time for completing the rating process is 4-6 months for programs seeking a high-quality rating (Levels 3-5).
- For grant questions, contact Carrie Nelson, Foundations Early Childhood Manager.
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Child Care Stabilizations Grants
Child Care Stabilizations grants are opened for applications in January. If you missed the January 28th deadline, you can still apply, but payments will be made later. You will receive a payment schedule and reporting requirements after your application is approved. Programs eligible for this funding must have been licensed AND operating as of March 11, 2021.
All licensed providers should have received an email from MetrixIQ, the company that is managing the application for these funds. Specifically, this email came from coecstimulus@metrixiq.com and was sent to the individual that you have listed as the primary contact within the state database. This email contains a specific link for you to apply for the Child Care Stabilization grants. If you are a program with multiple licensed sites, you will receive an email for each licensed program. We hear that MetrixIQ is working on a solution for these types of organizations, but for the time being you will need to fill out an application for each license. An Application Guide and a provider resource folder have been developed to assist you with this process. Information about the allowable use of these funds can be found by clicking here and updates will be made to the stimulus website at coecstimulus.com.
The following documents will be needed to fill out your application:
- A copy of your W-9 form, which includes your Federal Social Security Number (SSN) if you are an individual or the Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN) if you are an organization.
- Program License Number
- Automated Clearing House (ACH) banking information
If you need assistance along the way, or run into any problems you can reach out to MetrixIQ in the following ways and expect to hear back from the team within an estimated 48 hours:
- Complete a help ticket at help.coecstimulus.com
- Help Desk Support (Español)
- Call 720-305-9040
- Email coecstimulus@metrixiq.com
As your Early Childhood Council, we are here to provide you with technical support and answer questions that come up along the way. Please reach out to us for assistance at 719.630.0927, Ext. 725.
Provider Hub
The Department of Early Childhood’s Provider Hub is your access point to the QRIS Portal, Licensing, the CCCAP Attendance Tracking System (ATS), and the PDIS, as well as where you will update your operational status. Learn more here.
Navigating the Ratings Process
In-person ratings will resume in January 2022! Learn more about ratings and QRIS HERE.
For technical assistance with navigating the rating process, to celebrating your rating results, email CNelson@jointinitiatives.org or call 719.640.1375.
If your rating decreases, so does your reimbursement rate for CCCAP. Don’t let your rating expire! Call 719.640.1375 for assistance.
View alternative pathways for HERE.
Navigating PDIS
- The PDIS is the statewide system that provides training and tracks the required qualifications and voluntary credentials of early childhood professionals. Review the PDIS Fact Sheet and FAQ for PDIS for full details.
- Bookmark the new web address: ColoradoShinesPDIS.com
- What’s New in the NEW PDIS
- Navigating the NEW PDIS: When logging into the NEW PDIS for the first time and if you already have a PDIS account- you will need to reset your password.
- PDIS Login
- Click here for details about getting training aligned and approved through PDIS.
- Licensed Child Care Provider Training Requirements
- New Colorado Shines PDIS YouTube Playlist
- For information about live, instructor-led PDIS training, please subscribe to the PD Update below.
For Advanced Users, including Directors, Administrators, Training Managers and Workforce Managers
- Verifying Your
- Employees in the PDIS
- Assigning Training to Staff
- Requesting and Using Advanced PDIS Roles — This includes the Administrator, Training Manager, and Workforce Manager roles
- How To Add Employee Experience
Necesitas guías practicas de como navegar el PDIS?
- Creando su cuenta PDIS
- Encontrar y completar la formación en el PDIS
- Completando su autoevaluación
- Establecer 2 objetivos de desarrollo profesional
- Actualizando su perfil
Otros enlaces útiles:
Se ha ampliado el plazo para descargar documentos de la OLD PDIS
Si necesita ayuda con una consulta o cuenta específica, comuníquese con el servicio de asistencia de PDIS de Colorado Shines al: 1-844-447-4441 o correo electrónico: cdhs_pdishelp@state.co.us
o envíe un correo electrónico a Denise Raygoza: raygoza_d@cde.state.co.us
ITERS-3, ECERS-3, and FCCERS-3
For more information click HERE and subscribe to our PD Update.
Alternative Pathways
Eligible school district programs may apply to be included in Levels 3 and 4 based on their submitted crosswalk data. Programs wishing to pursue a Level 5 must apply to be rated by a qualified Colorado Shines assessor by submitting an application to be evaluated. Click Application & Instructions for details.
Level 1
These programs are licensed by the State of Colorado and meet basic health and safety standards.
IREE, the local Licensing entity supports centers with Level 1 needs. To learn more, visit the IREE website.
Level 2
These programs meet the requirements of Level 1 and are taking specific steps to improve their quality, like completing additional training courses and developing a Quality Improvement Plan.
Level 3-5
These quality programs are evaluated using 5 rating categories. Not all high quality programs look the same; one may focus on providing training for their staff, while another may invest in a stronger learning environment.
Our newsletters are monthly and provide early childhood information, professional development opportunities, and information for families.
