C.R.S. Section 26.5-3-803
Emerging and expanding child care grant program

  • created
  • timeline and criteria
  • grant awards
  • funding
  • definitions
  • repeal

(1)

As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires:

(a)

“Child care center” has the same meaning as set forth in section 26.5-5-303.

(b)

“Child care desert” means a community or area in the state where there are more than three children less than five years of age for each single available child care slot.

(c)

“Child care provider” or “provider” means a child care center or a family child care home that holds an open license in good standing with the department.

(d)

“Early childhood council” means an early childhood council identified or established locally in communities throughout the state pursuant to section 26.5-2-203.

(e)

“Eligible entity” means a licensed child care provider that is open and operating or an applicant actively pursuing a child care provider license through the department’s child care licensing and administration unit. “Eligible entity” includes family, friends, or neighbors who provide license-exempt child care pursuant to part 3 of article 5 of this title 26.5 but who are actively obtaining a license through the division within the department that is responsible for child care licensing and administration.

(f)

“Expansion” means licensed child care capacity expansion, by any means, for an existing licensed child care provider.

(g)

“Family child care home” has the same meaning as set forth in section 26.5-5-303.

(h)

“Grant program” means the emerging and expanding child care grant program created in subsection (2) of this section.

(h.5)

“Grant recipient” means an eligible entity that receives a grant through the grant program.
(i)
“Open and operating” means a child care provider that is actively providing care for children and that has updated its operational status with the department’s child care licensing and administration unit.

(2)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The emerging and expanding child care grant program is created in the department. The purpose of the grant program is to expand access and availability of licensed child care throughout the state.

(b)

An award from the grant program may be used for costs associated with expanding an open and operating child care center or family child care home or to assist an eligible entity with start up of a new child care center or family child care home. Costs may include, but are not limited to, staff training, background check fees, cleaning supplies, educational supplies, and capital and facility improvement costs.

(3)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The department shall create a process for soliciting, vetting, awarding, and monitoring grants through statewide early childhood councils.

(b)

To the extent practicable, early childhood councils may receive up to twenty-five percent of funding in advance in order to effectively administer grant funds and maintain business operations. The department shall offer technical assistance to applicants with their applications and grant recipients with implementation of their awards. The technical assistance may be offered to all eligible entities, as defined in subsection (1) of this section, and family, friend, and neighbor providers, as defined in section 26.5-3-808. The department may also provide a grant recipient with a separate grant for technical assistance to implement the goals of the recipient’s grant.

(4)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

The department shall develop an application process for an eligible entity to follow when requesting a grant from the grant program. The application must include the award criteria set forth in subsection (4)(c) of this section and any applicable timelines established by the department. The department shall award grants to an eligible entity based on the eligible entity’s need as well as the application criteria set forth in subsection (4)(c) of this section.

(b)

A grant award must range from at least three thousand dollars to no more than two hundred thousand dollars. In awarding a grant, the department shall use the applicant’s existing or proposed licensed child care capacity, as well as the applicant’s need, as key criteria in determining the amount of the grant award and shall prioritize making multiple smaller grant awards.

(c)

In determining grant awards, the department shall consider eligible entities located in a child care desert. The department shall also consider eligible entities that have or are actively pursuing:

(I)

A fiscal agreement with the Colorado child care assistance program, created in part 1 of article 4 of this title 26.5;

(II)

A commitment to engaging in quality improvement activities through the Colorado shines system, established in section 26.5-5-101;

(III)

A memorandum of understanding in place with their early childhood council to ensure support from the council; and

(IV)

An application to the division within the department that is responsible for child care licensing and administration and are working with their licensing specialist to determine capital or facility improvement or expansion needs and opportunities.

(d)

Eligible entities that are applying for a grant award shall:

(I)

Provide assurance to the department that zoning, fire, and, if applicable, health approval are underway prior to receiving grant funding; and

(II)

Provide a written commitment to submit any reports required by the department to demonstrate progress toward successful licensing or expansion through the division within the department that is responsible for licensing and administration.

(5)

On or before January 31, 2021, or as soon as practicable after December 7, 2020, the department shall begin the grant award process to eligible entities.

(6)

Intentionally left blank —Ed.

(a)

For the 2022-23 state fiscal year, the general assembly shall appropriate sixteen million dollars from the economic recovery and relief cash fund created in section 24-75-228 to the department for the purposes of implementing the grant program. Of this amount, up to two million two hundred thousand dollars shall be made available to early childhood councils, as defined in section 26.5-2-202, in support of the grant program. The department may reimburse an early childhood council up to ten percent of the grant amount for allowable administrative costs of the grant program.

(b)

Money spent pursuant to this subsection (6) must conform with the allowable purposes set forth in the federal “American Rescue Plan Act of 2021”, Pub.L. 117-2, as amended. The department must either spend or obligate such appropriation in accordance with section 24-75-226 (4)(d).

(c)

The department shall comply with the compliance, reporting, record-keeping, and program evaluation requirements established by the office of state planning and budgeting and the state controller in accordance with section 24-75-226 (5).

(d)

This subsection (6) is repealed, effective September 1, 2027.

Source: Section 26.5-3-803 — Emerging and expanding child care grant program - created - timeline and criteria - grant awards - funding - definitions - repeal, https://leg.­colorado.­gov/sites/default/files/images/olls/crs2023-title-26.­5.­pdf (accessed Oct. 20, 2023).

26.5‑3‑101
Legislative declaration
26.5‑3‑102
Definitions
26.5‑3‑103
Program created - repeal
26.5‑3‑104
Selection of centers - grants
26.5‑3‑201
Short title
26.5‑3‑202
Legislative declaration
26.5‑3‑203
Definitions
26.5‑3‑204
Colorado child abuse prevention board - creation - members - terms - vacancies - reimbursement for expenses
26.5‑3‑205
Powers and duties of the board
26.5‑3‑206
Colorado child abuse prevention trust fund - creation - source of funds
26.5‑3‑207
Disbursement of grants from the trust fund - restrictions
26.5‑3‑208
Report - repeal of part
26.5‑3‑301
Definitions
26.5‑3‑302
Child care services and substance use disorder treatment pilot program - created - purposes - eligibility - evaluation - funding - rules
26.5‑3‑303
Repeal of part
26.5‑3‑401
Legislative declaration
26.5‑3‑402
Definitions - repeal
26.5‑3‑403
Early intervention services - administration - duties of department - rules - repeal
26.5‑3‑404
Child find - responsibilities - interagency operating agreements
26.5‑3‑405
Authorized services - conditions of funding - purchases of services - rules - repeal
26.5‑3‑406
Coordinated system of payment for early intervention services - duties of departments - repeal
26.5‑3‑407
Cooperation among state agencies - implementing coordinated payment system - revisions to rules
26.5‑3‑408
Certified early intervention service brokers - duties - payment for early intervention services - fees - repeal
26.5‑3‑409
Payment from private health insurance for early intervention services - trust fund
26.5‑3‑410
Annual report - cooperation from certified early intervention service brokers and qualified providers
26.5‑3‑501
Short title
26.5‑3‑502
Legislative declaration
26.5‑3‑503
Definitions
26.5‑3‑504
Nurse home visitor program - created - rules
26.5‑3‑505
Health sciences facility - duties
26.5‑3‑506
Program applications - requirements
26.5‑3‑507
Selection of entities to administer the program - grants - nurse home visitor program fund - created
26.5‑3‑508
Annual program review - audit
26.5‑3‑601
Legislative declaration
26.5‑3‑602
Definitions
26.5‑3‑603
Social-emotional learning programs grant program - created - implementation partner - application - selection - funding - rules
26.5‑3‑701
Definitions
26.5‑3‑702
Early childhood mental health consultation - statewide program - creation - purpose - rules
26.5‑3‑703
Model of early childhood mental health consultation - standards and guidelines - qualifications
26.5‑3‑704
Statewide professional development plan for early childhood mental health consultants
26.5‑3‑705
Statewide qualifications and competencies for early childhood mental health consultants
26.5‑3‑706
Data collection - reporting
26.5‑3‑707
Funding support
26.5‑3‑801
Legislative declaration
26.5‑3‑802
Child care sustainability grant program - created - timeline and criteria - grant awards - funding - definitions
26.5‑3‑803
Emerging and expanding child care grant program - created - timeline and criteria - grant awards - funding - definitions - repeal
26.5‑3‑804
Employer-based child care facility grant program - created - timeline and criteria - eligibility - grant awards - reports - funding - definitions - repeal
26.5‑3‑805
Early care and education recruitment and retention grant and scholarship program - created - criteria and eligibility - grant and scholarship awards - reports - funding - rules - definitions - repeal
26.5‑3‑806
Child care teacher salary grant program - created - timeline - criteria and eligibility - grant awards - reports - definitions
26.5‑3‑807
Community innovation and resilience for care and learning equity (CIRCLE) grant program - created - criteria - definitions
26.5‑3‑808
Family, friend, and neighbor support programs - advisory group - training and support program - funding - definitions - repeal
26.5‑3‑901
Legislative declaration
26.5‑3‑902
Definition
26.5‑3‑903
Family-strengthening grant programs - authorized requirements - implementation partner - rules
26.5‑3‑904
Home visiting grant program - authorized requirements - implementation partner - rules - definition - repeal
Green check means up to date. Up to date

Current through Fall 2024

§ 26.5-3-803’s source at colorado​.gov