Providers will automatically receive a one-time quality bonus once they have completed the rating process. This incentive opportunity will end on September 30, 2023, or when the budgeted funds are fully spent, whichever comes first.

• All licensed child care providers who were open and in operation on March 11, 2021 AND

• The provider was rated at a Level 2 or below after October 1, 2021.

• Providers who are currently rated at Level 3-5 are not eligible for this bonus.

• Programs serving infants and toddlers that move from a Level 1 to a Level 2 will receive a $2,000 bonus as a home and a $2,500 bonus as a center.

• Programs serving infants and toddlers that move from a Level 2 to a Level 3-5 will receive a $3,500 bonus as a home and a $4,000 bonus as a center.

• Centers that do not serve infants and toddlers will receive a bonus of $1,500 to move from a Level 1 to a Level 2 and $2,000 to move from a Level 2 to a Level 3-5.

To initiate a quality level increase, providers should apply through the existing Colorado Shines QRIS system. Additionally, the program must have a signed MOU with their Early Childhood Council to receive their Quality Improvement award from the Council.

The expected time for completing the rating process is 4-6 months.

Ratings are performed by a Colorado Shines Rating Administrator through a contract with Clayton Early Learning. Ratings require an onsite assessment and data collection. Find out more on the Colorado Shines QRIS website.

The provider will receive the incentive from their Early Childhood Council and will, therefore, need to sign an MOU with their Council prior to completing the rating process.

• Start with the Quality Improvement Navigator at your local Early Childhood Council. You can find your Council by visiting the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance website.

• The Colorado Shines Help Desk can also help you along the quality-improvement journey. If you have questions related to your Colorado Shines QRIS application, please call 1.844.447.4441, option 1 or send an email to cdhs_coshines@state.co.us.

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

• For entitlement grants, such as the Child Care Stabilization and 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.