TWO EXCITING OPPORTUNITIES FOR UPK PROVIDERS!
- The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is providing a $2,000 one-time incentive bonus for child care providers participating in the Colorado Universal Preschool Program to join the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP). Licensed child care providers who have a signed Universal Preschool agreement for the 2024-25 school year and enter into a new CCCAP fiscal agreement between January 1, 2024, and June 15, 2024, are eligible. MetrixIQ will send a link directly to eligible providers to complete the application. For additional information on eligibility and how to become a CCCAP provider, please read the FAQ. Learn more HERE.
- In Spring 2024, a one-time bonus (estimated at $800 – $1,600) will be awarded to Universal Preschool providers who have maintained or increased their licensed capacity to serve infants and toddlers between April 1, 2022, and April 1, 2024. Once the bonus opportunity is open, MetrixIQ will contact eligible providers directly to apply for the funding.
2024-2025 Provider Handbook:
CDEC has created a handbook to help providers understand UPK more.
Important Dates:
- Families will accept/decline their continuity of care (CoC) placement April 3- Apr 10, 2024
- Providers can request seat change from April 11- Apr 19, 2024
- The first DAA runs April 22nd
- Providers will have April 23-May 7 to accept/decline DAA matches
- Families have May 8- May 15 to accept/decline placement
- Provider can request seat changes from May 16- May 24, 2024
- 2nd DAA matching round is scheduled for July 5th
Goal:
- Support equitable access to high-quality care
- Help prepare children for kindergarten
- Support parent choice
- Be responsive to local needs
Portal Links!
- Parent Portal: upk.colorado.gov
- Provider Portal: https://provider.upk.colorado.gov/welcome
Qualifying Factors:
- Low-income (270% of 2023 Federal Poverty Guidelines)
- Child is a dual-language learner
- Child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)
- Child is currently in foster or non-certified kinship care
- Child is identified as homeless
- For a child to receive more than 10-15 UPK hours, they must either have an active IEP that states they need more hours or Low Income plus another qualifying factor from above.
Click Here for our Provider & Family Flyers!
We have created a website for families with more information to help answer additional questions you might have. Click HERE for more details.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with Cindy Rivas at [email protected] or 970-4049896.