4DBD68724373C378872587D000790044 Hearing Summary

PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD TRANSITION AND UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION
Date Jan 20, 2022
Location Old State Library

Department of Early Childhood transition and universal preschool implementation - Committee Discussion Only

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03:01:44 PM

The committee took
a brief recess.

03:06:49 PM

The committee came
back to order. Senator Zenzinger invited the next panelists to the table
to begin their presentation on the Department of Early Childhood (DEC)
transition and universal preschool implementation. The panelists
were: M. Michael Cooke, Early Childhood Transition Director, Tova Cohen,
Early Childhood Transition Coordinator, and Allie Kimmel, Deputy Legislative
Director, Office of the Governor. A copy of their presentation and
corresponding documents can be found as Attachments A, B, C and D. Ms.
Cooke provided background information on Proposition EE and how it will
help fund universal preschool, as well as an update on the transition process
for the new DEC. She stated that the DEC will become operational
on July 1, 2022, and discussed the process used by the Early Childhood
Leadership Council to develop a plan to transition to the new department.

03:13:19 PM

Ms. Cooke presented
the mission, vision, and values of the DEC developed by the Transition
Working Group and Transition Advisory Group, as well as the governance
structure of the new department and its rule-making authority. She
talked about the transfer of programs and services and required legislation
to authorize the transfer of the programs to the new department. Ms.
Cooke spoke about the role of local leads in implementing universal preschool
and the plan to have a single application for all early childhood services.

03:24:48 PM

Ms. Cooke talked
about eligibility and prioritization for universal preschool, as well as
licensing, quality standards, and evaluation measures. She answered
questions from the committee and discussed early childhood workforce issues
and stated that special education services will remain with the Colorado
Department of Education as opposed to moving to the DEC. Ms. Cooke
reviewed the budget requests for the DEC and answered questions from the
committee about funding.

Department of Early Childhood transition and universal preschool implementation - Committee Discussion Only

Colorado General Assembly