FFN Training and Support Program
Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition was selected by the Colorado Department of Early Childhood to administer this historic program in Colorado.
The program specifically seeks to fund programs that will provide the following three services:
1. Materials grants
FFN providers (valued up to $950) who successfully complete a training offered by the grantee organization that ensure safe and high quality learning environments.
2. Training
To FFN providers in order to:
- Improve the quality of child care and child development.
- Ensure the health and safety of child care environments.
- Foster social and emotional health of the child.
- Support children with developmental, emotional, physical, or cognitive disabilities or delays.
- Offer culturally competent and equitable child care.
- Strengthen the business practices of child care.
- Promote workforce development; and
- Provide a high-quality early learning environment.
3. Technical Assistance
In order to:
- Navigate the state licensing and qualified exempt processes;
- Access existing state funding and services;
- Connect to after-school programs; and
- Provide career navigation assistance.
Watch Our FFN Training and Support Program Info Session.
This session is designed to provide you with all the details you need to know about applying for the FFN grant.
After a competitive process, the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition was selected by the Colorado Department of Eearly Childhood to administer this historic program in Colorado. CDEC ensures the delivery of an inclusive, community-centered, data-driven, high quality, and equitable early childhood system that supports the care, education, and well-being of all Colorado’s young children, their caregivers, and early childhood professionals in all settings.
FAQs
What is a Family, Friend and Neighbor child care provider?
Family, Friend and Neighbor (FFN) child care providers are legally license-exempt(opens in new window) child care providers regularly serving four or fewer children in a single setting. These providers are often grandparents, other relatives, friends or neighbors who offer a more flexible and affordable option for many Colorado families seeking child care.
More than half of Colorado’s families depend on FFN providers, making them a critical part of the early childhood workforce. Research also shows that families of color and immigrant and refugee families are more likely to turn to FFN care providers, as these groups have been systemically denied equitable access to health and education.
Who is eligible for this grant?
- Applicants must have knowledge of and experience in developing and implementing grants, training and technical assistance activities related to FFN child care.
- Applicants must have experience collecting participant and program data for performance improvement and accountability purposes.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate training and technical assistance offerings are research informed via logic models, literature review, locally collected data, etc.
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate experience and competency in offering services in languages other than English (based on target provider group).
- Applicants must be able to demonstrate the role of community in design, implementation, oversight and/or decision making in their programs.
- Applicants must be prepared to manage all logistics associated with delivering training and technical assistance services to FFN providers including: securing training equipment (projectors, etc.) and materials (handouts, etc), recruiting providers to events, and securing space for events.
- Applicants must be registered in the SAM.gov database, have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and be eligible to receive federal funding or have a fiscal sponsor that meets this criteria.
- Applicants must be able to provide W-9 form, direct deposit information, and insurance verification.
- If your organization or group is lacking one of these qualifiers, reach out to us before you apply to determine if you can still qualify. FFNGRANTS@coparentcoalition.org
What documents are required?
For your application you will need to submit the ‘Service Experience and Approach’ questions 1-7 in the RFP (6 pages maximum) as well as the following attachments:
- Work plan
- Program and organizational budgets
- Attestations
- Please have your EIN or fiscal agent information
- Secretary of State Certificate of good standing
- Sam.gov UEI (Unique Entity Identifier) number
What is the range amount applicants can apply for?
$10,000-$500,000. Budget requests will be evaluated on the basis of need and number of applicants. This grant opportunity is specifically for the expansion of programming.
How do we access the workplan and budget template?
Here is the sample workplan and budget link below for your reference. *Please note that this is only a sample link and once you submit the application you will receive a special link to your workplan through email.
How to apply?
If you anticipate needing support with filling out any of the attachments:
Please contact us as soon as possible by emailing FFNGRANTS@coparentcoalition.org during the office hours to schedule a one-on-one meeting for support with any of the application process or the attachments. We are happy to answer any questions you may have or to guide you through the application process.
Key dates and timeline:
|
Date
|
Activity
|
| July 15th | Release of RFP |
| July 22nd | Informational Session |
| Between July 23rd and August 9th | Office Hours |
| August 15th | RFP Due Date |
| Submission of Proposal through September 13th |
Technical assistance on RFP
|
| Oct 15 or sooner | Notification of Selection |
How many rounds will be available to apply?
We intend to re-open this RFP opportunity based on the following anticipated timelines:
- Round 1: 11/1/24-10/31/25
- Round 2: 7/1/25-6/30/26
What support may CSPC offer to applicants?
- CSPC may support applicants in submitting a successful application. Technical assistance may be provided to applicants who have historically been unable to access formal funding opportunities including foundation and government funding.
- CSPC may provide limited technical assistance to funded organizations in evaluation, data collection, program implementation, and financial management.
For any other questions:
Please email your questions to FFNGRANTS@coparentcoalition.org
or call/text: 720-591-7844