How It All Started
The History Of
Our Early Childhood Council
The Early Childhood Council Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick (ECCLPS) began in 1997 as a community collaboration focused on early childhood issues in our community. ECCLPS was one of 12 original Consolidated Child Care Pilot Programs established by the Colorado General Assembly through Senate Bill 97-174. These communities were tasked with consolidating funding sources to create a seamless system, ensuring collaboration among private and public stakeholders, responding to the needs of working parents and enhancing child care quality.
In 2007, the Colorado General Assembly approved House Bill 07 - 1062(HP10562). This bill renamed the pilot communities to “Early Childhood Councils” and allowed for coverage of all 64 Colorado Counties through an application and funding process.
The goal of HB 1062 was to build upon the success of the pilot communities by increasing and sustaining quality, accessibility, capacity, and affordability of early childhood programs and services for young children 0-5 years and their families. The legislation established a common purpose for Councils to develop and implement a comprehensive system of early childhood services to ensure the school readiness of children in the areas of early care and education, family support, mental health, and health.
This is when The Early Childhood Council became an independent 501(c)(3) with a governing board and paid staff members and expanded our service area to include Phillips and Sedgwick counties and became known as The Early Childhood Council Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick (ECCLPS). ECCLPS is one of Colorado's 34 Early Childhood Councils working to improve services to children and families. The Councils focus their efforts on improving availability and quality of services in the areas of family support and education, health & well-being, and learning & development. This work is guided by the Early Childhood Colorado Framework.
In 2007, the Colorado General Assembly approved House Bill 07 - 1062(HP10562). This bill renamed the pilot communities to “Early Childhood Councils” and allowed for coverage of all 64 Colorado Counties through an application and funding process.
The goal of HB 1062 was to build upon the success of the pilot communities by increasing and sustaining quality, accessibility, capacity, and affordability of early childhood programs and services for young children 0-5 years and their families. The legislation established a common purpose for Councils to develop and implement a comprehensive system of early childhood services to ensure the school readiness of children in the areas of early care and education, family support, mental health, and health.
This is when The Early Childhood Council became an independent 501(c)(3) with a governing board and paid staff members and expanded our service area to include Phillips and Sedgwick counties and became known as The Early Childhood Council Logan, Phillips, Sedgwick (ECCLPS). ECCLPS is one of Colorado's 34 Early Childhood Councils working to improve services to children and families. The Councils focus their efforts on improving availability and quality of services in the areas of family support and education, health & well-being, and learning & development. This work is guided by the Early Childhood Colorado Framework.
ABOUT ECCLPS
Surviving & Thriving
In 2008 Colorado was in a recession, the funding that was built into the general funds of the Colorado budget was cut and there has been a steady decline in funding over the years. With no additional funding and Early Childhood Councils, funding has steadily seen a decline over the years. With the declines in funding, Early Childhood Councils have needed to diversify their funding streams to continue the work mandated in Colorado legislation under Early Childhood Council Rules. We continue to support the children and families in our communities and the Early Childhood Professionals that work with those families and children.
In 2012, The Office of Early Childhood was created under Governor Hickenlooper and is overseen by the Department of Human Services. With the development of the Office of Early Childhood, Early Childhood councils have seen an increase in workload to help implement Colorado Shines.
In 2018, the ECCLPS was awarded the Child Care Resource and Referral funding for the three counties.
In 2019, we received the designation for the Childcare Tax Credit which leverages donors donations.
Early childhood champions in Logan, Phillips, and Sedgwick Counties, in all walks of life, are able to utilize the Early Childhood Council Logan, Phillips, and Sedgwick Counties to embrace our model of a comprehensive, connected network of resources and services in order to impact positive outcomes for young children and their families. ECCLPS mission empowers us to strive to carry on our system building work. Currently our main area of focuses are on Colorado Shine Quality Improvement System, professional development support for our early childhood professionals, and to increase the number of quality child care settings to help meet the child care need in our communities.
In 2012, The Office of Early Childhood was created under Governor Hickenlooper and is overseen by the Department of Human Services. With the development of the Office of Early Childhood, Early Childhood councils have seen an increase in workload to help implement Colorado Shines.
In 2018, the ECCLPS was awarded the Child Care Resource and Referral funding for the three counties.
In 2019, we received the designation for the Childcare Tax Credit which leverages donors donations.
Early childhood champions in Logan, Phillips, and Sedgwick Counties, in all walks of life, are able to utilize the Early Childhood Council Logan, Phillips, and Sedgwick Counties to embrace our model of a comprehensive, connected network of resources and services in order to impact positive outcomes for young children and their families. ECCLPS mission empowers us to strive to carry on our system building work. Currently our main area of focuses are on Colorado Shine Quality Improvement System, professional development support for our early childhood professionals, and to increase the number of quality child care settings to help meet the child care need in our communities.