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:
- Family Survey: 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.
- 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.
- Email the flyer to your networks
- Post on social media – Face Book, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc.
- Insert information to your newsletter or e-mail blast
- 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
- 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.