Elbert County early childhood director asks commissioners to reappoint council to keep $98,000 in state funding

Dr. Judy Pennington, the newly appointed executive director of the Elbert County Early Childhood Council, asked the county commissioners on April 8 to formally reappoint the council as the county’s convening entity so the council can remain eligible for state funding.

"This designation does not carry any financial obligation for the county, but what it does do is allow us to remain in compliance with state requirements," Pennington said, adding the council currently leverages "over $98,000 annually" that supports local child-care providers and preschool programs.

Pennington described the council’s role as coordinating universal preschool quality standards, connecting families to CCAP and other scholarships, and serving as a hub for local agencies and providers. She said the council works with all five Elbert County school districts and several in-home providers, and that designating the council helps secure Colorado Department of Early Childhood funding.

The request grew out of recent statewide changes, she said, referencing Senate Bill 2619 and the need for local councils to align with current statutes and documentation. "We saw an opportunity to refresh our documentation, strengthen our alignment with current statutes, and ensure everything is up to date moving forward," Pennington said.

Commissioners asked procedural questions and discussed timing; one commissioner suggested moving the request to an action item so the board can consider a resolution. The board agreed the item is not time-sensitive to the minute but should be resolved by the end of the fiscal year in June to preserve the county’s eligibility and funding access.

Next steps: The board moved the matter to a future action item with the intent to consider formal reappointment before the close of the fiscal year.