Posted on February 18, 2013

Colorado Trust Awards Nearly $1 Million for Early Childhood Services

The Denver-based Colorado Trust has announced grants totaling $983,639 to eight organizations working to connect children and families to early childhood resources and services, with a focus on health.

Awarded through the trust's Early Childhood Health Integration program, the grants will support early childhood councils working to provide childhood care and education, family support, mental health services, and overall health services in the state. In addition, the trust is conducting an internal evaluation to examine the extent to which the councils integrate health services into their early childhood systems and share lessons learned about factors contributing to systems change.

Grantees in this funding round include the Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council, the Denver Early Childhood Council, the Early Childhood Council of La Plata County, the Early Childhood Council of Larimer County, the Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County, the Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families, the Montelores Early Childhood Council, and the Rural Resort Northeast Early Childhood Council.

"Connecting families to services in local communities is critical," said Ned Calonge, president and CEO of the trust. "The Early Childhood Councils are making good progress, though there remain significant challenges to be addressed. Over 112,000 children in Colorado are uninsured and many of those children also do not have a usual source of care. The councils can help to make sure families know where to turn for health care services, connecting people at school, work and home."