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.

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.