The Colorado Trust Awards Nearly $1 Million to Early Childhood Councils

February 4, 2013

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Julian Kesner, Director of Communications
303-539-3147; [email protected]

DENVER, COLO.—The Colorado Trust announced today that it has made $983,639 in grants to eight Colorado Early Childhood Councils in support of their continuing efforts to integrate health into their work of connecting children and families to early childhood resources and services.

Colorado policymakers formed the Early Childhood Councils in 2007 to bring people together around services for young children. The Councils help strengthen the early childhood system throughout Colorado, focusing on early childhood care and education, family support, mental health and overall health. With funding from The Colorado Trust, the Councils and their local partners are putting in place high quality health programs in their communities, ranging from access to preventive oral and medical care to increasing the number of children consistently covered by health insurance.

“Connecting families to services in local communities is critical,” said Ned Calonge, MD, President and CEO of The Colorado Trust. “The Early Childhood Councils are making good progress, though there remain significant challenges to be addressed. Over 112,000 children in Colorado are uninsured and many of those children also do not have a usual source of care. The councils can help to make sure families know where to turn for health care services; connecting people at school, work and home.”

The eight Early Childhood Councils receiving grants from The Colorado Trust are:

Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council
Denver Early Childhood Council
Early Childhood Council of La Plata County
Early Childhood Council of Larimer County
Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County
Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families
Montelores Early Childhood Council
Rural Resort Northeast Early Childhood Council

This funding builds on earlier support The Trust has provided for Colorado Early Childhood Councils through the Early Childhood Health Integration grant strategy.

For additional information about The Colorado Trust and its grantmaking, visit www.coloradotrust.org.

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