CCCA
WORKING FOR YOU!
The Colorado Child Care Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing support and guidance in the management and administration of child care centers. This is achieved through education, networking and legislative representation. Membership includes a free subscription to the CCCA newsletter and automatic membership in the National Child Care Association (NCCA) at no additional charge.Established in 1985, CCCA has become the second largest child care association in the nation and represents over 500 licensed child care centers, preschools, and school-age programs. It is governed by a 21 member board of directors elected by the membership and functions through committees.
CCCA membership is comprised of licensed child care centers, encompassing single and multiple centers, profit and non-profit centers, faith-based and secular centers, preschool and school-age programs. Each member has one vote regardless of the number of centers represented. Members are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and participate in committee work.
OUR OBJECTIVES
1. To perpetuate licensed child care in private sector centers and programs.
2. To encourage excellence, education and professionalism within the child care industry.
3. To encourage uniformity and fairness within the child care regulatory process.
4. To encourage and support creativity, individuality and innovativeness within the child care industry.
5. To provide a forum for the free sharing of knowledge, ideas, experiences and resources.
6. To educte the public and foster a positive image of early care and education.
HISTORICAL OVERVIEW
Over the past 25 years, CCCA has represented the private provider in the community, advocated for higher reimbursement rates, lobbied on legislation that affects providers, and worked to improve quality in the early education industry.
1993
Licensiing regulations were being reviewed and rewritten. Five CCCA Board members were invited to serve on the Child Care Licensing Review Task force.
Cost Quality research was underway; many CCCA members participated in the study.
Governor Romer established a task force on Professional Standards; CCCA Board members sat on this task force.
1994
CCCA met with the Joint Budget Committee on reimbursement rates and succeeded in keeping a 4.45% reimbursement rate increase and payments for registration, activity fees, and 7 days of absences.
CCCA State Board testimony held licensing fee increases to 300-600% instead of the up to 1000% being called for.
CCCA participated in revised Rules and Regulations Governing Sanitation of Child Care Centers.
1995
CCCA was called upon to respond to the Cost Quality and Child Outcomes Report.
CCCA completed position papers on key issues including unfair competition.
CCCA's work with licensing focused on key quality indicators, risk factor ratings, and quality standards.
1996
Board member Larry Neal joined in meetings with the Colorado Department of Education specific to Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) implementation.
Membership surveys conducted by CCCA revealed the top five concerns of our members:
1. Department of Human Services (DHS) Rules & Regulations
2. Staff Credentialing
3. Professional Development
4. Quality Improvement Efforts
5. DHS Reimbursement Rates
1997
CCCA endowed the Foundation for Child Care Excellence, which helps to fund emergency child care, scholarships, and quality programs.
CCCA successfully excluded 3-year-olds from the Colorado Preschool Program (CPP) in the School Finance Act.
1998
United States Representative Bob Schaffer introduced CCCA into the Congressional Record.
CCCA was influential in the counties' decision to raise reimbursement rates.
CCCA signed a partnership agreement with Office Depot Business Services Division to offer our members discounted prices on numerous products.
1999
CCCA, along with the National Child Care Association (NCCA), pushed to update the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP).
CCCA testified before the Interim Committee on Child Care.
2000
CCCA worked with the Department of Human Services (DHS) to institute a staffing crisis appeal process.
André Ransom, CCCA Board member and past president, was appointed to the Oversight and Review Committee to set criteria for tax check-off grants.
Larry Neal, CCCA Board member and past president, was appointed to the Child Care Commission.
CCCA, in partnership with the Department of Human Services and the Colorado Office of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CORRA), initiated the first of two playground grant programs.
2001
CCCA worked diligently to ensure the best outcomes related to the Nurse Practice Act and the new medication administration requirements.
CCCA received two awards from the National Child Care Association (NCCA): The Guiding Star Award for Leadership, and the Brightest Star Award for Overall Achievement.
CCCA received the President's Award for Recycler of the Year from Colorado Recycles.
2002
CCCA participated in the Child Care Forum, a dialogue with public officials in response to cut backs in the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP).
CCCA co-sponsored with the Colorado Children's Campaign a series of open houses, called "Donut Discussions," for political candidates that were hosted at members' centers.
2003
CCCA succeeded in amending the Booster Seat Bill.
The CCCA Political Action Committee was formed.
Two CCCA Board members were appointed to the Child Care Commission.
The Foundation for Child Care Excellence helped to fund the "Economic Impact of Child Care in Colorado" study.
2004
The CCCA web site was developed and recognized by NCCA as an award-winning member service.
CCCA successfully sponsored HB 04-1254 to prevent non-involved parents being notified when providers are investigated.
CCCA partnered with CORRA (Colorado Office of Resource and Referral Agencies) on the second of two grants for playground surfacing.
The Foundation for Child Care Excellence helped to fund a study of unlicensed care in Colorado.
2005
CCCA's 20th Anniversary.
CCCA completed a two-year commitment to the Health Regulations rewrite.
CCCA and NCCA celebrated changes to the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) becoming permanent.
Executive Director Kathryn Hammerbeck was appointed to the Early Childhood and School Readiness Commission.
CCCA was invited to participate in the Denver Public Schools Task Force on Early Education and School Readiness.
CCCA joined the Early Childhood State Systems Team.
2006
CCCA was invited to participate in the E-470 Education Master Plan Task Force.
CCCA successfully supported SB 06-045, which requires fingerprint background checks for legally exempt providers.
CCCA became a Smart Start Colorado partner.
