Children's Outreach Project

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Impact Statement

It is better to build children than to repair adults. This has been our motto for over 35 years. Founded in 1970, we have served thousands of Colorado children. In recent years we committed to getting an annual Qualistar rating and consistently maintained a 3 out of 4-stars rating. All classrooms scored perfect 7s in interactions among teachers and children. A score of 1 being inadequate and 7 being excellent. Qualistar reported that teachers treat the children with a high level of respect, are responsive, and individualize their approach based on the needs of each child. C.O.P. received a perfect score (10 out of 10) in family partnerships and reported that our small group sizes provides an environment that is more conducive to learning. We are also committed to professional development of our teaching staff. For two years, C.O.P. has provided college level early childhood education classes to its staff members. In 2005-06, 70 children received tuition assistance, 102 children received therapeutic services and 90 children received mental health consultations. Seventy-five percent of the children receiving therapies came from low-income families.

Our continual goals are to continue to improve programming. We aim to become the first 4-star Qualistar program in Adams County, which means we are committed to quality programming. Eventually, we will also pursue national accreditation of our program. We hope to raise the awareness of the agency, diversify funding sources and develop a working fund development plan. We would also like to further develop the board of trustees for leadership and development purposes.

Needs Statement

COP is in need of a new building. We are currently housed in a debt free building that no longer meets our needs. The building is not handicap accessible and we have continual leaking issues due to poor windows and the dome shaped roof. The design of the building is also not conducive to high quality learning for special needs children. We have outgrown our classrooms and cannot teach to the highest quality due to the size and design of the building.

Background Statement

C.O.P. began as a part of the University of Colorado Medical Center’s Affiliated Facility – the JFK Child Development Center. Founders recognized that early intervention and education are critical for functional progression and the development of a challenged child’s intellectual growth. C.O.P. began to develop a strong reputation and was used as a day placement for abused, neglected, and at-risk children. From 1970 to 1985, C.O.P.'s certified personnel served only at-risk and developmentally delayed children. The programming of the School began to expand as it encompassed a wide range of services for children and families. Typically developing children were integrated into the program and year round, full day early childhood education programs began. Today, therapeutic programming continues, and educational classes and support are offered to families.

Executive Director Statement

Recently, a great deal of attention has been paid to increasing the school readiness of young children. Children's Outreach Project is fortunate to be a partner in the Early Childhood Partnership of Adams County (ECPAC) whose efforts focus on enhancing early care and education in Adams County. In July, ECPAC secured school readiness funding to assist early childhood programs throughout Adams County to improve the quality of their programs. As many of our supporters know, Children's Outreach Project has long been committed to quality programming and currently is a 3-Star Qualistar rated program.

Data has proven that children’s dramatic progress toward school readiness is linked to intensive training and development for early childhood education staff and a focus on curriculum does help prepare children for school – and later success in school. It is clear that focused attention on both of these areas is needed for program quality improvements. That is why Children's Outreach Project will be implementing a state-of-the-art early childhood curriculum, called The Creative Curriculum, in the fall of 2007. Our teachers have spent the past few months being trained in both the assessment and the curriculum. We are all anxious to see the impact of this tool on our programming and children.

With the help of our supporters, we aim to demonstrate that a focused, intentional intervention to improve the quality of early education and child care, within a relatively short period of time, will result in significant improvements in the school readiness of our young children. As we gear up for our fourth Qualistar rating this spring, we are aiming for the top score of 4-Stars. Yet, we recognize that achieving the 4-Star rating is just one of the many important steps Children's Outreach Project will be taking on our journey of quality improvements.

Board Chair/President Statement

As advances continue in the neuroscience of brain development they further support the importance of investments in the early years of life. Children’s learning and intellectual growth are profoundly affected by development in the early years. At Children's Outreach Project children receive individually tailored curriculum, trained teachers, intimate classrooms due to low ratios, and full day, year round opportunities that are not available to them anywhere else. As one of the first programs for special needs children in Colorado, Children's Outreach Project has a long history of serving young children.

In November of 2006, Qualistar, Colorado reported that there are 22,670 children ages 2 to 5 residing in Adams County. This group is the prime age range for early childhood education. Yet, there are only 5,796 licensed spots available to serve these children. This potentially leaves over 16,000 Adams County children in unlicensed programs or receiving no programming at all. This is an alarming statistic for Colorado.

The need for additional high quality early childhood education programming opportunities remains great in our community. We will continue to work with community partners to find the resources necessary to make high quality early childhood education available to those in need.

Ravyn was at her annual check-up and the doctor was trying to assess her development. He stated she was not at the level she
should be for her age. I had noticed this, but I did not want to fully accept it. My husband and I started looking at our options. There were two child care facilities within walking distance of our home. The
people were nice, but I just didn’t feel it was right for our family. Others were so expensive, I didn’t even bother to go take the tour. I felt at my end. I didn’t like any of the programs, and I was starting to give up hope. Soon after, I drove by a little igloo on Pecos. I started looking up information on C.O.P. I was impressed with the information I found on their web page and felt it would be a good place for Ravyn.

The programs at Children’s Outreach Project have given Ravyn a new found belief in herself. She receives therapeutic services in addition to high quality preschool programming. What a difference this last year has made.