Catholic Charities Denver Early Childhood Education Program

Early Childhood Education

A Comprehensive Early Childhood & Family Support System

It is not just childcare — it is a comprehensive early childhood and family support system.

Catholic Charities of Denver | Denver, CO

OVERVIEW

About the Program

5 Centers

Across Denver

106,000+

Meals Served Annually

36%

Children Experiencing Homelessness

What is ECE?

CCD's Early Childhood Education program provides a comprehensive early childhood and family support system that goes beyond traditional childcare. The program focuses on the whole child — supporting physical, emotional, and psychological development — while empowering families.

Serves children from 6 weeks to 5 years old

Supports families experiencing homelessness and instability

Addresses basic needs including food, health, and housing

More than childcare — a lifeline for vulnerable families.

WHO WE SERVE

Denver's Most Vulnerable Families

"We build trust first, then support families with everything they need."

Families Experiencing Homelessness

Approximately 36% of enrolled children lack stable housing

Low-Income Families

Families qualifying for Head Start, Early Head Start, or CCAP subsidies

Children Ages 6 Weeks – 5 Years

During the most critical developmental window

Diverse & Underserved Communities

Families facing economic, social, and systemic barriers

CORE SERVICES

Three Pillars of Support

ECE delivers an integrated set of services designed to support both children and their families.

Education & Development

School readiness & structured curriculum

Social-emotional learning

Inclusive classrooms for diverse learners

Family Support

"Parents as First Teachers" program

Weekly home-based visitation

Housing assistance & emergency resource connections

Nutrition & Health

106,000+ meals served annually

Dental & developmental screenings

Nutrition education for children & families

Holistic Approach

A Whole-Family Model

ECE supports not only children, but also their families and the broader community — creating an interconnected system of care.

In the Classroom

At Home

In the Community

We build trust first, then support families with everything they need.

FUNDING MODEL

How ECE Is Funded

The program operates under a largely restricted, compliance-driven funding model heavily dependent on public sources.

Financial sustainability is tied to policy changes, reimbursement rates & regulatory compliance.

Federal Head Start / Early Head Start Grants (~50%)

CCAP Vouchers (Local Gov't) (~25%)

State & Local Grants + Philanthropy (~20%)

Private Pay Tuition (~5%)

Federal Head Start grants fund education, health & family services but restrict allocation flexibility.

State/local grants, Catholic Charities fundraising, and limited private-pay tuition round out the mix.

STRENGTHS & ASSETS

What Makes ECE Effective

Integrated Service Ecosystem

Families access housing, food, counseling & case management through CCD's broader network — addressing root causes, not symptoms.

Community Trust & Credibility

Long-standing relationships with referral partners, government agencies & community stakeholders drive consistent enrollment.

Comprehensive Beyond the Classroom

Nutrition support, developmental screenings & mental health consultation serve children experiencing trauma and chronic stress.

Flexible Delivery Models

Center-based, home-based & prenatal services allow ECE to meet families where they are.

EXTERNAL PRESSURES

Challenges & Strategic Constraints

Despite strong mission alignment, ECE faces significant external pressures that impact operations and sustainability.

Workforce Challenges

Rising labor costs, staff shortages & competition with private providers impact recruitment and retention of qualified educators.

Financial Rigidity

Reliance on restricted public funding limits resource reallocation, innovation, and earned-revenue strategies.

Unmet Demand

Demand for affordable ECE far exceeds capacity — especially among homeless families — while facility constraints limit expansion.

Rising Operating Costs

Inflationary pressures on food and operations strain tight budgets, compounded by reimbursement rates lagging market wages.

Catholic Charities of Denver | Early Childhood Education Program