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CDEC Independent Evaluation

 

Colorado Department of Early Childhood Independent Evaluation

Evaluation Overview

The Colorado Department for Early Childhood (CDEC) has contracted with Public Consulting Group (PCG) to conduct an independent evaluation of the Department as required in state law/statute 26.5-1-112. The independent evaluation will examine the CDEC’s progress since its launch in 2022 to ensure a robust, supported, efficient, and effective early childhood system that supports children, families, and the early childhood workforce. This evaluation marks a critical milestone in the evolution of Colorado’s unified early childhood system! 

The evaluation will include reviewing and collecting data from a wide variety of sources, including extensive community engagement through interviews, focus groups and surveys with parents, early childhood providers and community partners.  

Here are the timelines for the evaluation:

We want to hear from you - Take the Survey

There are 4 unique surveys for Colorado residents to complete! Surveys are available in English and Spanish. The deadline for all survey submissions has been extended to Friday June 27, 2025. Each survey will take about 10 - 15 minutes to complete. These survey options include:

We want to hear from you – Participate in a Focus Group

A series of focus groups will be held virtually across the state beginning in May through June in English and Spanish. Focus groups will be approximately 1.5 hours and will include a series of questions and discussion among participants about your experience receiving or participating in programs and services funded by CDEC. 

Below is a registration form and schedule to sign up for an event. 

  • Families: Includes parents, foster parents, and primary caregivers for children should complete this survey.
  • Early Childhood Professionals: Includes members of the workforce* such as home visitors, mental health providers, classroom teachers, family child care home providers, early interventionists, and others who deliver direct services to young children and/or families.
  • Early Childhood Agency Leaders: Includes directors/administrators/owners of public, private for-profit or nonprofit organizations/businesses that provide direct early childhood and/or family support services for young children and/or families that are funded and/or regulated by the CDEC.
  • Community Partners: Includes intermediary organizations that otherwise support or connect the early childhood system, e.g., LCOs, EC Councils, Family Resource Center, counties, philanthropic/advocacy, associations, professional preparation, etc. This includes both organizations that receive funding from the CDEC, as well as partner organizations not funded by the CDEC.
Shaping the future of the CDEC – Help spread the word!

Please help us get the word out about the CDEC Independent Evaluation and the opportunities to provide input to help shape the future of the CDEC through the surveys and focus groups listed above.

Here is a link to an Independent Evaluation Toolkit with resources to use with social media, newsletters, emails, etc. 

Steering Committee

PCG is working with a steering committee with a diverse membership, including families/parents, early childhood providers, community partners, and state leaders. Throughout the evaluation process the Steering Committee is charged with helping to increase community input on activities and tools as well as input of the summary of findings and recommendations.

Steering Committee Members

Name

Organization

Title

Dawn Alexander

Early Childhood Education Association 

Executive Director

Jennifer Stedron

Early Milestones

Executive Director

Maegan Lokteff

Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance (ECCLA)

Executive Director

Heather Tritten

CO Children's Campaign

Executive Director

Lisa Hill

Invest in Kids

Executive Director

Tammi Hiler

Governor's Office

Special Advisor for Early Childhood and K-12 Policy

Christina Walker

Healthier Colorado

Senior Director of Policy

Dr. Sue Kerns

Kempe Center

Director of Transformative Research

Carrie Kennedy

Colorado Association of Family Child Care

Public Relations Coordinator and Legislative Co Chair

Michelle Denae

Family Voice Council

Member

George Montoya

North Metro Community Services (Early Intervention Broker)

COO/CFO

Rachel Hutson

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, Children, Youth and Families Branch

Branch Director

Pamela Harris

Mile High Early Learning

President and CEO

Sue Renner

David and Laura Merage Foundation

Strategic Advisor

Kendra Dunn

CDEC

Deputy Director, Office of Program Delivery

Rhonda McManus-Tatum

Colorado Interagency Coordinating Council

Co-chair

Mary Brennan

CDEC Tribal Advisory Council

Member

Crystal Delgai

CDEC Tribal Advisory Council

Member

Kelly Altizer

Westminster Public Schools - Local Coordinating Organization

Director, Adams County Early Childhood Connections

Heather Frenz

Colorado Head Start Association

Executive Director

Mandy Watrous-Gale

Family Resource Center Association

State Intermediary - Family Support

Marisol Cruz

Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition

Director of Evaluation & Learning

Priscilla Hopkins

RAC

Early Childhood Director for Denver Public Schools

Ashley Wilson

RAC

Director at Bal Swan (Early Childhood Community Based Organization)

Dr. Rosemarie Allen

Center for Equity and Excellence

Founder, President and CEO

Michael Aragon

Colorado Human Services Directors Association

Las Animas County Human Services Director

Melissa Gibson 

Colorado Association of School Executives (CASE)

Executive Director

Brett Reeder

Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment

Branch Director

Julianne Schecker

JLH Consulting and Public Affairs, LLC.

Parent Representative

Lisa Humberd

Consortium of Directors of Special Education

Executive Director

 

 Evaluation of Non-CDEC Early Childhood Programs

Review of Early Childhood Programs in other State Departments

Frequently Asked Questions FAQ)

Q. Why are the Preschool Special Education (IDEA Part B-619), WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) program, and The CO Food Program (Child and Adult Care Food Program being reviewed?

The statute requires that the independent evaluation reviews the programs and services pertaining to early childhood that were not transferred to the department, including the federal law and regulations pertaining to those programs and services, to determine whether the programs and services should be transferred to and operated by the department.

Colorado Department of Education FAQ

Q: If I work in a public-school early childhood special education classroom, which survey should I complete? 

There are multiple surveys for the workforce, depending on your role. If you are familiar with the services and programs CDEC offers, we invite you to complete the Early Childhood Professionals survey. 

Q: I am a public-school special education administrator. In what ways should I participate?

Public Consulting Group (PCG) will be hosting focus groups specifically with early childhood special education administrators and other school administrators with invitations sent out through intermediary organizations. 

Q: How is the voice of families with children who receive preschool special education services, being heard?

PCG is working with the Peak Parent Center to hold a focus group. Families can also complete the family survey which addresses other early childhood and family support services from CDEC program. Please email cdecevaluation@pcgus.com if you would like to participate.

Q: If I work for a WIC clinic, how can I provide input?

PCG will be hosting a focus group specifically for WIC providers, coordinated with the CO Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). WIC providers can also complete either the Early Childhood Professionals survey or managers can complete the Early Childhood Agency Leaders survey. The survey is focused on CDEC programs and services, with one specific question related to WIC.

Q: I’m a CO Food Program (CACFP) provider. What engagement opportunities exist for me?

PCG will be hosting a focus group specifically for CACFP providers, coordinated with the CO Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). CACFP providers can also complete either the Early Childhood Professionals survey or managers can complete the Early Childhood Agency Leaders survey. The survey is focused on CDEC programs and services, but there is one question related to CACFP.

Q: How will the recommendation regarding whether to move these programs to the CDEC?

PCG is working with the CDE and CDPHE to develop research question that each review We encourage all members of the community to visit to Colorado Independent Evaluation page which can be found here: CDEC Independent Evaluation | Colorado Department of Early Childhood

Contact Information

More information about the evaluation will be posted in the coming weeks. You can also email CDECevaluation@pcgus.com for more information or with questions.