How do federal changes impact Colorado's early childhood system?

Federal policy and funding shifts can cause uncertainty and concern. Early Childhood Connect will provide up-to-date information about how federal changes are impacting Colorado’s early childhood system. We have organized this page according to the four domains of the early childhood system: Learning and Development, Health and Well-being, Family Support and Education, and Economic Mobility.

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Learning and Development

Immigration Policy Changes

The new administration has made several significant changes to immigration policy:

  • Immigration Arrests Can Now Happen At Schools: The new administration has reversed a policy in place for decades that treated schools, child care centers, churches, and hospitals as protected spaces. Read more here.
  • Increased Deportations: The new administration has stated that deportations will increase. Caregivers can prepare by learning about their rights if an ICE visit occurs at their center. For instance, ICE can enter a private area only if they have a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Learn more here.

Colorado child care providers can support immigrant families and children by:

Colorado Regulations for Child Care Centers in Emergency Events

Colorado has several licensing regulations that specify what to do in an emergency such as law enforcement action.

  • 2.217 Required Staff and Supervision: This rule shares the ratio requirements and operation guidelines for emergency situations.
  • 2.314 Requirements for Emergency Substitutes: This rule provides the requirements for emergency substitutes.
  • 2.509 Emergency Staffing Situations: This rule gives staffing parameters to follow in case of an emergency.
Safe Space Policy Guide Family Preparedness Packet

Health and Well-being

Medicaid Cuts

What we know:

  • The federal government could cut Medicaid by up to $880 Billion, resulting in millions losing coverage
  • 2 out of 5 rural children in Colorado receive coverage through Medicaid (Health First Colorado)
  • 1 out of 3 children in urban areas have coverage through Medicaid
  • 50% of children with special healthcare needs rely on Medicaid

Medicaid benefits for children include:

  • Better educational outcomes: more likely to graduate high school and college
  • Better economic outcomes: higher earnings and productivity as an adult
  • Better health outcomes for their entire life
How Medicaid Supports Student Success

Family Support and Education

Updates on federal changes that impact Colorado’s families

  • Birthright citizenship: An executive order is attempting to end birthright citizenship for the children of undocumented parents. A federal court blocked this order.
  • Federal grants, loans, and assistance programs: There have been several executive orders related to pausing and ending federal funding for certain programs. We will update this page as federal funding changes are implemented.

Some of the federal programs that Colorado families with young children rely on:

    • Head Start/ Early Head Start
    • Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
    • Early Intervention
    • Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP)
    • Medicaid
    • Home visiting programs (HIPPY, PAT, NFP)
    • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
    • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
    • Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
Resource Map for Immigrant Families

Economic Mobility

What is Economic Mobility?

Economic mobility is a family’s capacity to attain higher income levels over several generations. You can learn more about economic mobility in our recent brief.

The federal government receives a long-term return of $10 for every $1 invested in children. Federal programs helped to cut poverty in half between 1967 and 2012. They contributed to improved health, increased education levels, and a better labor market.

In Colorado:

  • 579,000: Children are covered by Medicaid
  • 47,000: Kids receive Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) 
  • 317,000: Kids receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) 
  • 11,100: Children are in Head Start and Early Head Start 

Federal cuts to these programs would impact the educational, health, and economic outcomes of thousands of Colorado kids for years to come.

Economic Mobility Benefits Children Federal Spending and Colorado Children: Understanding the Impact

Partners

This work was made possible by grant funding from the Buell Foundation.

  • Buell Foundation