Lobbying and Advocacy

We have a paid lobbyist who works to support the industry through legislative advocacy work. We also advocate with the state regarding any advocacy needs that arise in the industry. We are a solutions-based organization and strive to improve processes and services for providers throughout the industry.

Industry Trainings

ECEA provides free trainings for business owners ranging from classroom management techniques/supports to the fiscal management that sustains businesses. Our trainings are free to anyone, but members receive training certificates for attending the live sessions.

Feedback Friday

The final Friday of every month, child care providers can meet raise any questions/concerns that they have about the industry. It’s an informal conversation that keeps ECEA aware of advocacy needs.

Professional Learning Center

Continuing education programs for early learning professionals, including the Child Development Associate, Inclusive Practices in Early Childhood, and MA in Learning, Developmental and Family Sciences offered in partnership with University of Colorado Denver.

Annual CMA Conference (April 2020) – Raising Equity

Raising Equity means being an adult in the life of a child who helps cultivate and equity mindset. This approach helps adults and children understand themselves, others, and the systems of oppression that impact our lives. In this session, participants will 1) gain an understanding of the concepts and distinctions between diversity, equity, and inclusion, … Read more >

The Validation Project

The CMA Validation Project is one answer to the question “What is Montessori?” By determining baseline, threshold components for participating Montessori schools, CMA has established a Validating Organization to assure state agencies, policy makers, funders, and most importantly, families that the Montessori schools in Colorado have a measure of quality they can trust.

Kids Play Math

Support for teachers, including classroom activities and information about early math teaching and learning. This information is provided through easily accessible online training components, with job-embedded assignments, and webinars. An accompanying workshop in instructional support (optional but recommended). Support for coaches via a certification package that includes a two-day workshop, online interaction, and materials and … Read more >

Bright by Three and Bright by Text

Bright by Three’s traditional visitation program is a free, three-year curriculum based on seminal research findings from The Carolina Abecedarian Project, Hart and Risley, The Perry Preschool Project, and others. Trained volunteers visit with parents and caregivers to share age-specific resource kits that help caregivers stimulate their child’s healthy development. To support present-day caregivers, Bright … Read more >

Right Start for Colorado

The Mental Health Center of Denver was recently awarded a 5-year Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMH) grant to expand infant and early childhood mental health services throughout the state of Colorado. “Infants and toddlers are frequently overlooked in mental health policy and healthcare delivery systems,” … Read more >

Bright by Text

Bright by Text is a text messaging service that helps parents and caregivers of children prenatal to age five make the most of everyday interactions. Through free tips, information, games and resources, Bright by Text is proven to build nurturing caregiver-child relationships, strengthen families, promote healthy child development, and improve school readiness. Each week, parents … Read more >