CSPC Featured in KNGU

by Jaimi Flores | Jan 27, 2026 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, K-12, Parents, Policy

CSPC Featured on KGNU Radio: Early Childhood Education and Family Engagement in Boulder County

The Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC) was recently featured on KGNU’s Public Affair radio program, highlighting our work supporting families, caregivers, and educators in Boulder County and across Colorado.

During the conversation, CSPC shared how our programs — including PASO, Éxito, Las Familias, and VOZ — empower families, strengthen early childhood education, and support parents in becoming informed advocates for their children. The discussion also touched on the importance of family engagement, community leadership, and policy advocacy in building more equitable education systems.

We are grateful to KGNU for the opportunity to uplift community voices and spotlight the work happening on the ground with families every day.

👉 Listen to the full episode here:
Listen here

Thank you to KGNU for amplifying this important conversation, and to our community for continuing to show up for families across Colorado.

GIT for Child Care

by Jaimi Flores | Jan 27, 2026 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Parents, Policy

Colorado Can’t Keep Waiting — It’s Time to Invest in Child Care

📖 Read the full op-ed here: Read Here

At the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC), we know firsthand that Colorado families are doing everything they can to stay afloat — working multiple jobs, navigating rising costs, and struggling to access affordable, reliable child care. Meanwhile, the providers they rely on — often grandmothers, neighbors, and friends — are being pushed past the breaking point.

In a new guest commentary published by The Denver Post, our own Mirla Coronado de Low, Director of Early Childhood Programs at CSPC, outlines what’s really at stake: our over-reliance on federal funding has left our child care system fragile and vulnerable to political games. And because of TABOR and Colorado’s flat tax system, our state isn’t doing enough to invest in its own families.

But it doesn’t have to be this way.

A graduated income tax — like the one Colorado had before 1987 — could generate over $2 billion annually to fund the programs our families need: child care, education, and health care.

📖 Read the full op-ed here: Read Here
We’re proud to stand with the Protect Colorado’s Future Coalition to push for tax fairness and a stronger future for Colorado’s families.

CSPC Second Round of Grantees FFN

by Jaimi Flores | Sep 23, 2025 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Policy, Uncategorized

For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Jaimi Flores
Jaimi@coparentcoalition.org

DENVER, CO — September 23, 2025 —

The Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition (CSPC), in partnership with the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC), is proud to announce the second round of recipients for the Friend, Family, and Neighbor (FFN) Support Grant Program. This milestone continues the momentum of Colorado’s historic investment in strengthening community-based childcare options across the state.

The FFN Support Grant Program, established by the Colorado State Legislature in 2022, was the first initiative of its kind in the country. It provides resources, training, and support to FFN childcare providers—who currently care for over 50% of Colorado’s young children, including more than 60% of children aged three and under.

“CDEC celebrates this partnership with the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition and the eight new awardees for the FFN Training and Support Program,” said Dr. Lisa Roy, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood. “The momentum from this program speaks to the need to provide outreach and resources to FFN providers across the state as they play a vital role in supporting children and families in Colorado.”

“CSPC is thrilled to support more groups who are committed to supporting FFN providers across the state,” said Lorena Garcia, CEO of the Colorado Statewied Parent Coalition. “FFN providers have always been the backbone of the childcare sector and will always be the backbone. We need to keep investment in FFN strong.”

The following organizations have been selected to receive funding in the second round of the FFN Support Grant Program:

Gunnison County dba Gunnison Hinsdale Early Childhood Council – $42,002.09
Tutela Institute – $54,846.00
North Range Behavioral Health – $96,442.49
Roots Family Center – $61,160.00
Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County – $66,011.49
Early Milestones Colorado – $199,780.00
Mile High United Way – $205,633.45
Estes Valley Investment in Childhood Success – $41,653.70

These awardees will lead efforts to expand professional development opportunities, culturally relevant resources, and programmatic support for FFN providers in their respective communities.

The FFN Support Grant Program will continue to make a lasting impact through 2026, with funding available through December 31 of that year.

For more information about the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition or the FFN Support Grant Program, visit FFN Grant | Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition or contact Abril Fuentes Abril@coparentcoalition.org

The Cultural Richness of FFN Providers

by Jaimi Flores | Nov 9, 2023 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Parents, Uncategorized

The Cultural Richness of FFN Providers

Nurturing a Richer Experience for Children

In the vibrant mosaic of our communities, Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers bring a wealth of diverse cultural backgrounds and experiences to the world of early childhood education. These dedicated caregivers play a vital role in shaping the lives of children, offering them a unique opportunity to learn and grow within a culturally rich environments.

Why Cultural Richness Matters

Cultural richness refers to the wide array of cultural backgrounds, traditions, languages, and experiences that FFN providers bring to their caregiving roles. The families who entrust their children to FFN providers often come from diverse cultural backgrounds. Embracing and celebrating this cultural richness can have numerous positive effects on child’s development.

Here are some compelling reasons why recognizing and appreciating cultural diversity in FFN caregiving is important for families:

1. Respect for Diversity: Our communities are a mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions. Culturally competent caregivers and families embrace this diversity, fostering an inclusive atmosphere for everyone.

2. Effective Communication: Understanding cultural nuances enhances communication between caregivers, children, and families. It promotes clear and empathetic interactions that strengthen relationships.

3. Tailored Care: Cultural competence allows caregivers to provide care that aligns with a child’s cultural context. This tailored approach can positively influence a child’s sense of identity and belonging.

Shared Cultural Backgrounds: Strengthening Bonds

In some beautiful instances, FFN providers share the same cultural background as the families they help. This connection can create an even more profound opportunity for your child to solidify their cultural identity. When FFN providers and child families come from the same cultural heritage, there’s a shared understanding of traditions, values, and language. This shared cultural experience can help children feel more connected to their roots, speak their native language fluently, and truly understand the richness of their own culture. It’s a heartwarming aspect of FFN caregiving that not only fosters cultural pride but also strengthens the bond between the caregiver, the child, and the family.

The Impact on Children

By actively embracing and celebrating the cultural richness of FFN providers, you provide your child with a profound opportunity for growth and enrichment. They will develop a broad worldview, cultural sensitivity, and a deep appreciation for the diverse world around them.

In the rich mosaic of early childhood education, FFN providers can be some of the the pieces that form the big picture of cultural understanding and acceptance. As families, let’s cherish and celebrate this diversity, recognizing the invaluable contributions that FFN providers make to our children’s lives.

Together, we can ensure that every child’s journey is enriched by the vibrant cultural tapestry that surrounds them, fostering a generation that truly appreciates and celebrates the beauty of diversity.

Jennifer’s Graduation Speech

by Jaimi Flores | Oct 29, 2023 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Uncategorized

Jennifer’s Graduation Speech

A Tale of Passion and Empowerment

The journey of an early childhood educator is marked by determination, passion, and unwavering commitment. It’s a path filled with invaluable lessons and inspiring mentors that shape the educators of tomorrow. In this installment of our “Amplifying FFN Voices” series, we introduce you to Jennifer Chavez, a remarkable individual who embarked on her journey towards becoming an Early Childhood Educator with the help of the Providers Advancing Student Outcomes (PASO) program.

Jennifer’s story is a testament to the transformative power of education and the profound impact it can have on individuals, families, and communities. Her graduation speech encapsulates the essence of her journey, highlighting the role of her teacher, the significance of PASO, and her unwavering dedication to nurturing young minds. As we delve into Jennifer’s heartfelt words, we invite you to join us in celebrating the aspirations and accomplishments of future educators like her.

2023 Spring Graduation Speech

Good Afternoon fellow classmates or should I say fellow graduates, teachers, Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition Staff members, families, and friends. My name is Jennifer Chavez and it is an honor to stand in front of you all. Class of 2023 we made it! So please take this opportunity and look at all of our classmates. I not only want you to celebrate each other and acknowledge all we have accomplished to this day. But also look at and remember these faces. These are the faces of winners, achievers, and lastly future Early Childhood Educators. I would also like to thank God for guiding us through all these steps we took to accomplish our goal in becoming successful Early Childhood Educators.  

  I want to thank my wonderful teacher Cesiah Hernandez. I am so grateful you were my instructor. You helped me see that I can be and do more in my career. You gave me the confidence and inspiration to dream big and fight for what I want. So thank you. I will always remember your beautiful smile especially when I deal with any of my students’ challenging behaviors. Advice you shared with me to succeed and that I am grateful for. My gratitude to you for all you have done, which I will never forget. I truly appreciate you and your time you spent helping me and my classmates on many occasions. Thank you very much for your time and passion for teaching this course. I enjoyed every minute of your lecture as well as your marvelous sense of humor and stories.

 I would also like to thank all of the administrators, coordinators, and all staff members that are part of Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition for providing us with PASO (Providers Advancing Student Outcomes). This course helped us become and prepare ourselves as educators to keep the children under our care safe, healthy, and educated before they transition into school.

 It is a pleasure to express my passion for teaching and becoming an Early Childhood Educator. In the words of Sidney Hook  “ Everyone who remembers his own education remembers teachers, not methods and techniques. The teacher is the heart of the educational system”. I want to be the teacher I needed as a child to support my students in becoming successful learners.  So that means advocating, teaching and modeling as I have been doing. I hope to continue to grow and achieve this with all the great experiences I gained through this course. Especially from all of the knowledge I obtained from the following theorists we learned from. Jean Piaget’s theory of cognitive, comprehensive and physical development that begins in such valuable years of childhood. Erik Erikson who corresponds to Psychosocial Development. His role has taught us the emotional development in creating positive experiences and stable relationships to help children develop social skills, and create a concept of self and healthy self-esteem. Next, Lev Vygotsky with his theory in Sociocultural Development showed us how children acquire higher cognitive functions through interactions with the world that surrounds them.

 Our last theorist Lawrence Kohlberg. His theory helps us analyze and understand that every human being from an early age goes through different stages in which their thoughts and moral values are changing, depending on the stage where you are, you are influenced by culture and the environment. How interesting, right. As you can see we were born to make a difference. So classmates, so much we’ve learned, so much we’ve worked, So many Thursdays, So many Saturdays, our class had to meet, we will finally get a good weekend sleep! So class of 2023 the future awaits us. Before I leave you I’d like to say. In the words of Hannah Montana;” I always knew this day would come. We’d be standing one by one with our future in our hands. So many dreams, so many plans. I always knew after all these years, there’d be laughter, there’d be tears. But never thought I’d walk away with so much joy and so much pain”. So families, teachers, staff and friends please give a round of applause for our future Early Childhood Educators of Class 2023!

Jennifer Chavez

Jennifer Chavez’s graduation speech serves as a poignant reminder of the significance of programs like PASO in empowering Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) caregivers. It exemplifies the dedication and passion that FFN providers bring to their roles as early childhood educators, impacting the lives of children in profound ways.

As we applaud Jennifer’s achievements, let her story inspire us all to recognize the potential within FFN caregivers and the importance of supporting their educational journeys. The future of early childhood education is brighter when we empower individuals like Jennifer, who are committed to providing safe, nurturing, and enriching environments for the youngest members of our communities. Join us in amplifying the voices of FFN caregivers and celebrating their dedication to early childhood education.

The Power of FFN Providers

by Jaimi Flores | Oct 23, 2023 | Child Care, ECE, FFN, Policy, Uncategorized

The Power of FFN Providers

Unlocking the Potential of Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) Providers Through PASO

The formative years of a child’s life are pivotal for their overall development and future success. Early childhood education and care (ECEC) have a profound impact on a child’s cognitive, social, and emotional growth. While childcare in licensed centers or licensed family childcare homes are valuable options, there exists another, often underestimated group of caregivers who wield tremendous influence: Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers.

FFN providers are individuals who extend childcare services within their homes or social circles for children in their families, in their neighborhoods or for their friends. This compassionate network of caregivers includes grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbors, and close family friends. They serve as a lifeline for many families, particularly in underserved communities. Unfortunately, their pivotal role in early childhood education often escapes the notice of policymakers for investment in sustainability or professional development.

Enter the PASO (Provider advancing Student Outcomes) program, a transformative initiative from the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition, that recognizes the significance of FFN providers in the early education ecosystem and empowers them to deliver high-quality care.

Empowering FFN Providers

PASO equips FFN providers with the training and resources necessary to offer developmentally appropriate care and education to the children under their care. Through PASO, these caregivers gain insights into child development, best practices in early education, and the science of creating enriching environments for young learners.

Promoting Equity

PASO serves as a powerful tool for promoting equity in early childhood education. Many FFN providers cater to children from marginalized communities, largely immigrant and refugee, families living with limited resources, children with disabilities, and in rural communities. By enhancing the quality of care they provide, PASO helps level the playing field for these youngsters.

Supporting Families

FFN providers are often trusted allies for the families they serve, especially for Dual Lanugage Learners (DLL) and children with disabilities. They offer culturally sensitive care that respects each child’s unique background and needs. PASO strengthens this bond by imparting FFN providers with the skills needed to effectively engage with families and connect them to additional community resources when necessary.

Why Policymakers Should Take Notice:

Expanding Access: By investing in training programs like PASO and other effective, community-based FFN training programs, policymakers ensure that FFN providers possess the skills and knowledge to provide outstanding care to children under their care. investing in the sustainability of FFN providers through thriving wages, materials, and access to subsidy programs will secure a strong early childhood network for years to come.

Improving Outcomes: Extensive research indicates that children who receive high-quality early education are more likely to excel in school and life. Supporting FFN providers through programs like PASO can lead to enhanced outcomes for the children they nurture, benefiting society as a whole.

Addressing Disparities: FFN providers often represent the sole affordable childcare option for many families, especially in low-income and rural communities. Recognizing and supporting FFN providers can help alleviate disparities in access to quality early education.

Economic Benefits: High-quality early childhood education has been associated with increased workforce participation and reduced reliance on social services. Policymakers can realize a return on investment by supporting FFN providers and ensuring they deliver quality care.

The PASO program transcends education; it signifies empowerment, equity, and an improved future for children and families. Policymakers wield a pivotal role in acknowledging the significance of FFN providers and supporting programs like PASO that enable these caregivers to offer top-tier early education.

Understanding the influence of FFN providers and the potential advantages of initiatives like PASO, policymakers can make informed decisions that benefit children, families, and society at large. Investing in early childhood education in all settings, including through FFN providers, amounts to an investment in a brighter future for all.