Community innovation and resilience for care and learning equity (CIRCLE) grant program - created - criteria - definitions

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires: (a) "Child care center" has the same meaning as set forth in section 26.5-5-303. (b) "Eligible entity" includes any one of the following: (I) A child care center or family child care home that is eligible to receive federal child care and development block grant funding pursuant to 42 U.S.C. sec. 9858; (II) A local early childhood council, as defined in section 26.5-2-202; or (III) Any other community-based or education-based entity or government agency approved by the department and that proposes grant activities described in subsection (2) of this section. (c) "Family child care home" has the same meaning as set forth in section 26.5-5-303. (d) "Grant program" means the community innovation and resilience for care and learning equity (CIRCLE) grant program created in subsection (2) of this section. (2) There is created in the department the community innovation and resilience for care and learning equity (CIRCLE) grant program. The purpose of the grant program is to address systemic challenges for early care and learning providers that have worsened as a result of the economic, social, and health impacts of the COVID-19 public health emergency and to promote innovation to improve outcomes for children and families. (3) An eligible entity may apply for a grant from the grant program for the following purposes: (a) Improving the affordability of child care for families whose children are not served by the Colorado child care assistance program, created in part 1 of article 4 of this title 26.5, including, but not limited to, any of the following approaches: (I) Tuition subsidies or scholarships; (II) Developing public-private partnerships; or (III) Employer-based cost-sharing approaches; (b) Increasing access to child care for children from birth to three years of age; (c) Strengthening business practices of child care programs; (d) Ensuring equitable access for children, including children with special needs and dual-language learner children; or (e) Other approaches to improve early childhood transitions, workforce preparation, affordability, outcomes, or innovative practices. (4) The department shall solicit and review applications from eligible entities. Each application must include, at a minimum: (a) A description of the activities for which the eligible entity will use the grant money; (b) A description of any partnerships that an eligible entity intends to establish to carry out its grant activities; (c) A description of how the activities listed in subsection (4)(a) of this section will achieve the purposes of the grant program; and (d) A detailed budget to carry out the activities listed in subsection (4)(a) of this section.