MEMORANDUM

To:  Early Childhood Leadership Commission
From:  Lieutenant Governor Joe Garcia, Reggie Bicha, Sue Birch, Chris Urbina
Date:  September 13, 2011

We propose the following governance plan designed to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and elegance of Colorado’s early childhood supports, services and programs.  This plan further supports Colorado’s vision that all children deserve the opportunity to be valued, healthy and thriving.

Through a collaborative process with leaders from CDHS, CDPHE, DHCPF, and the ECLC, as well as input from CDE, the current plan proposes a reorganization of the Department of Human Services that will include shifting existing early childhood services and funding streams from HCPF and CDPHE.

With the incorporation of new services, the Department of Human Services will have the opportunity to realign its mission and more effectively define its role in serving Colorado’s early childhood population.  This includes a name change to better reflect the department’s expanded emphasis on early childhood.  The department will also contain an Office of Early Childhood, to be advised by a governor-appointed public-private advisory board.

The following programs and funding streams would be co-located to the Department of Human Services (current location in parentheses):

• Colorado Children’s Trust Fund (CDPHE)
• Early and Periodic Screening Diagnosis and Treatment (HCPF)
• Family Resource Centers (CDPHE)
• Head Start State Collaboration Director (Office of the Lt. Governor)
• Nurse Home Visitor Program (CDPHE)
• Tony Grampsas Youth Services (CDPHE)
• Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program (CDPHE)

The following would remain in the department:

• Child Care Quality Initiatives
• Colorado Child Care Assistance Program
• Mental Health Consultation
• Part C/Early Intervention Services
• Promoting Safe and Stable Communities

This new approach to early childhood services and program governance will streamline services, aid local program administration, help families access the help they need, and ensure programs share similar high standards. 

Pending ECLC endorsement, we will begin the next level of both legal and budgetary reviews as well as stakeholder outreach.  We are committed to reaching out to staff, stakeholders and other partners, both to share the details of this proposal and gather feedback.  Ultimately, legislation will be required to implement this early childhood governance proposal.