As a result of the recent passage of a new bill (Senate Bill 22-213), the Department of Early Childhood will have additional rounds of Emerging and Expanding grants in the future. Timing is yet to be determined.

• Currently open and operating licensed programs, serving children birth to five, with a permanent or provisional license which are expanding their current licensed capacity; OR

• An applicant actively pursuing a child care license through the Division of Early Care & Learning.

• Programs must serve children ages birth to five to be eligible.

• Programs that receive 100% of funding from public sources such as Head Start/Early Head Start or the Colorado Preschool Program are not eligible.

• Family child care homes can receive up to $50,000 and child care centers can receive up to $200,000.

• This is a competitive grant and programs may or may not receive funding.

The grant is now closed and is no longer accepting new applications.

• Complete required licensing paperwork which includes:

  • Your signed application and fee for the license type you are applying for

  • A change request form with the correct fee

  • A letter of support for your project (this is only required if you are leasing or renting your space).

• Consult with your Early Childhood Council to complete the budget template for your project. The budget template is a download included in the grant application. Your budget will need to include the following:

  • An outline of the amount of funding being requested

  • A breakdown of the projected expenses and a justification of the cost.

• Have a description of your project available (you will be asked to describe your project in the application).

• If you are renting or leasing your location you will also need a letter of support from your landlord that will need to be uploaded with your application.

Please direct all questions to your Early Childhood Council, your licensing specialist or the Colorado Shines helpdesk at 1.844.447.4441.

• “Program” refers to both licensed child care centers and family child care homes and those seeking a license serving children birth to age five. Existing programs that have outstanding violations from a recent inspection or are under the adverse licensing process must meet these requirements before funds can be awarded.

• Programs that are actively seeking a license should submit an original application and receive a pending license number before they apply. Programs that are expanding or increasing their capacity should submit a change request form and fee.

Yes. If you previously received an Emerging and Expanding Grant and you would like to expand your facility again (or open another facility), you can recieve an additional grant up to the total for which you qualify.

The statute for this grant does not authorize the use of indirect funds for the Emerging and Expanding grants, however, the Office of Early Childhood is providing 10% of authorized funding to support Early Childhood Councils for their role in administering Emerging and Expanding Grants.

No, current licensed child care programs must fully use their Emerging and Expanding grant to expand their programs by June 30, 2022.

In the draft child care center rule package currently in the State Board of Human Services rulemaking process the Department has included an Outdoor Space Hardship in Section 7.702.74B.

No, the program must be open and operating on or by June 30, 2022.

• Yes, providers are encouraged to apply to all available grants for which they are eligible.

• For entitlement grants, such as the Child Care Operations Stabilization and Workforce Sustainability Grants, eligible providers will need to complete a brief application and will receive funding without going through a competitive or need-based process.

• For competitive grants, such as the Health and Mental Health Grants or the CIRCLE Grants, programs will have to demonstrate eligibility and, due to the grant’s competitive nature, may or may not receive funding.