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50DF93FD2535324B87258AA7007ACD08 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SMART ACT PRESENTATION FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EARLY CHILDHOOD

JOINT COMMITTEE COMMITTEE ON JOINT EDUCATION
Date Jan 17, 2024      
Location Old State Library



SMART Act Presentation from the Department of Early Childhood - Committee Discussion Only

03:21:22 PM  
The presenters from
the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (DEC) came to the table and
included Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director, Mary Alice Cohen, Chief Program
Officer, Stephanie Beasley, Deputy Executive Director, Jeanni Stefanik,
Chief Financial Officer, and Dawn Odean, Universal Preschool Director.
 Their presentation can be found as Attachment E.
03:27:28 PM  
Dr. Roy discussed the department's mission, vision, and values and reviewed its strategic planning, project management, and performance management systems. Ms. Odean explained the department's Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) in relation to universal preschool.
03:36:19 PM  
Ms. Cohen spoke about
the Office of Program Delivery and its goal to support infant and toddler
child care capacity. She discussed several programs and grants aimed at
increasing capacity in these areas.

03:38:17 PM  
Ms. Cohen continued
by discussing the goal of expanding Colorado's early childhood workforce.
03:43:45 PM  
Ms. Cohen spoke about the department's stimulus funding implementation and the ways in which the department is using the stimulus funding to strengthen Colorado's early childhood sector.
03:51:32 PM  
Ms. Stefanik spoke
about the department's FY 2024-25 budget requests.  Ms. Beasley discussed
the Office of Administrative Solutions within the DEC and the department's
legislative and regulatory agendas.
04:15:22 PM  
The panel answered questions from the committee.
04:15:34 PM  
Kristina Heyl, State
and Community Partnerships Manager for the DEC, spoke to the committee
about the Early Childhood Leadership Commission (ECLC).  The presentation
can be found as Attachment F. Shannon Wilson, ECLC Administrator, discussed
the ECLC's 10-year strategic plan.