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I_I_SchoolReadiness_2021A 11/01/2021 10:23:06 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
INTERIM COMMITTEE  EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL READINESS
Date 11/01/2021
Attendance
Kipp X
Kirkmeyer X
Story X
Van Beber X
Sirota X
Buckner X
Time 10:23:06 AM to 12:44:22 PM
Place SCR 357
This Meeting was called to order by Buckner
This Report was prepared by Nina Forbes
Hearing Items Action Taken
True Costs of Delivering Early Childhood Education in Colorado Committee Discussion Only
Principles of Ideal Learning and Ideal Learning Environments Committee Discussion Only
Update on Employer Based Child Care Grant Program Committee Discussion Only
Public Testimony Committee Discussion Only
Vote on Bill Drafts Committee Discussion Only

10:23:10 AM
Senator Buckner,
chair, called the meeting to order and gave introductory remarks.



True Costs of Delivering Early Childhood Education in Colorado - Committee Discussion Only
10:27:09 AM  
Julie Pecaut, Director of Strategy and Operations at the Bell Policy Center, and Dr. Andrew Brodsky, President of Brodsky Research and Consulting, presented on the true costs of delivering early childhood education in Colorado. Their presentation is included as Attachment A.
10:28:36 AM  
Ms. Pecaut  and
Dr. Brodsky discussed the Bell Policy Center's Cost of Care study, the
model they used to calculate the cost of care, and the results of the caculations.
 They discussed the low wages early childhood educators receive and
the struggles of providers to stay profitable.  They also discussed
what is needed to build on the model.
10:58:30 AM  
Ms. Pecaut and Dr. Brodsky answered questions from the committee.



Principles of Ideal Learning and Ideal Learning Environments - Committee Discussion Only

11:18:00 AM  
Katie Nicolaou, Project
Manager at Early Milestones Colorado, and Dr. Cathrine Floyd, Grants Partnership
Manager at the Trust for Learning, presented on Principles of Ideal Learning
and Ideal Learning Environments.  Their presentation is included as
Attachment B and a handout is included as Attachment C.
11:20:17 AM  
Dr. Floyd and Ms.
Nicolaou explained the concept of ideal learning, the science of early
learning, the concept of whole-child development, and the need for access
to quality care for all children.
11:35:45 AM  
Dr. Floyd and Ms.
Nicolaou answered questions from the committee.



Update on Employer Based Child Care Grant Program - Committee Discussion Only
12:01:26 PM  
The committee took a brief recess.
12:09:44 PM  
The committee came
back to order.  Nicole Riehl, President & CEO of Executives Partnering
to Invest in Children (EPIC), presented an update on the Employer Based
Child Care Grant Program.  Her presentation is included as Attachment
D.  
12:10:54 PM  
Ms. Riehl gave background
on the program, an update on the program timeline, a description of the
final lab participants, and several key takeaways, opportunities, and considerations
from the design lab process.



Public Testimony - Committee Discussion Only
12:28:58 PM  
Kimberly Buckner, representing herself, spoke to the committee about her concerns about licensing requirements and practices by the Office of Early Childhood.



Vote on Bill Drafts - Committee Discussion Only
12:35:27 PM  
Ed DeCecco, Office
of Legislative Legal Services, summarized Bill 1 requested by the commission.


12:37:26 PM
 Motion Move to forward Bill 1 to Legislative Council.
Moved Buckner
Seconded
Kipp Yes
Kirkmeyer Yes
Story Yes
Van Beber Yes
Sirota Yes
Buckner Yes
YES: 6   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
12:38:19 PM  
The commission decided
that Bill 1 will start in the House and Representative Sirota and Representative
Van Beber will be co-prime sponsors. In the Senate, Senator Buckner and
Senator Kirkmeyer will be co-prime sponsors. Representative Kipp and Senator
Story will be listed as co-sponsors.
12:40:33 PM  
Senator Story stated
that she would not be moving Bill 2 for a vote by the commission and explained
why.
12:41:31 PM  
Senator Buckner reminded the committee that the next meeting will occur on November 18th. Senator Kirkmeyer requested that representatives from the Rural School Alliance and county representatives be invited to the next meeting.
12:43:55 PM  
Senator Buckner adjourned the committee.


12:44:22 PM   The committee adjourned.






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