Membership

Legislation (C.R.S. 26-6.5-103.5, excerpt):

Early childhood council membership shall include representatives from the public and private stakeholders from early care and education, family support, health, and mental health programs who reflect local needs and cultural diversity. The membership of each early childhood council shall also represent the geographic diversity within the county or counties involved in the council. Each council shall include a minimum of ten members with representation from each of the following stakeholder groups within the council's service area:

· Local government, including but not limited to county commissioners, city council members, local school district board members, and local county departments of human services;

· Early care and education, including but not limited to licensed and legally exempt child care providers, head start grantees, and district preschool and kindergarten programs operating pursuant to article 28 of title 22, C.R.S.;

· Health care, including but not limited to local public health agencies, health care providers, supplemental food programs for women, infants, and children as provided for in 42 U.S.C. sec. 1786, early periodic screening and diagnosis and treatment programs as required by federal law, and part B and part C of the federal Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004, 42 U.S.C. 1400 et. seq., as amended;

· Parents of children five years of age or younger;

· Mental health care, including but not limited to community mental health centers and local mental health care providers;

· Resource and referral agencies, including but not limited to child care resource and referral agencies;

· Family support and parent education, including but not limited to home visitation programs, family resource centers, and income assistance programs.

In addition, each council may include, but is not limited to, representation from any combination of the following stakeholder groups within the council's service area:

· Child care associations;

· Medical and dental professionals;

· School district parent organizations;

· Head start policy councils;

· A chamber or chambers of commerce;

· Local businesses;

· Faith-based and nonprofit organizations;

· Higher education institutions; and

· Libraries.