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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. All surveys will be open until June 13, 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. A small stipend  will be provided for participants . 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

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.