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Gilpin Mountain Kids board reports nonprofit status, wait list of about 30 children
Summary
The new Gilpin Mountain Kids Early Learning Center board told commissioners it has secured nonprofit status, set up bank and insurance, compiled a wait list of roughly 30 children and plans to hire an executive director to start licensing and operations.
Gilpin Mountain Kids, the county-supported early learning center initiative, has secured state nonprofit status and recently received IRS recognition, the center's board told the Gilpin County Board of County Commissioners on Feb. 11.
Janie Barker, Gilpin County director of human services and vice president of the Mountain Kids board, said the nonprofit designation prompted the board to delay hiring an executive director and pursuing licensing until the tax-exempt status was confirmed. Barker said the board has opened a bank account, purchased liability insurance with county-provided funding, is collecting additional insurance quotes, and is conducting a building walk-through to identify repair and solar opportunities.
The board reported a wait list of roughly 30 children and said it has prepared a job description for an executive director; the board hopes to hire an executive director within about four to six weeks and begin the licensing process thereafter. Barker said state licensing typically takes 60 to 90 days because a new center is treated as a newly licensed operation.
The board discussed but chose to defer any decision on offering discounted childcare rates to county employees until after the center is operating and the executive director can better evaluate viability and equity concerns. Board members said they will return to the commission to discuss employee discounts after several months of operation.
Board President Lindsay Denton and Barker said the board is pursuing local outreach, training for board members and assistance from Triad Bright Futures on licensing support and board development; they also plan an outreach event in April to connect with families and providers.
