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DENVER, CO – The House today passed two bills on a preliminary vote to support families and youth. HB24-1223, sponsored by Representatives Jenny Willford and Lorena Garcia would streamline access to the Colorado Child Care Assistance program. SB24-008, sponsored by Representative Mary Young, would provide additional resources to families, kin and relatives of foster youth.
“Child care is a necessity to get parents back into the workforce so they can earn income that helps them keep a roof over their head,” said Rep. Jenny Willford, D-Northglenn, sponsor of HB24-1223. “This legislation would get Colorado parents connected to affordable child care so they can more easily juggle work, doctor appointments, and receiving an education that will help them advance in their career and support their family.”
“Lack of access to child care can be a barrier that prevents parents from returning to work, which is why we’re passing this legislation to simplify the process to receive child care assistance,” said Rep. Lorena Garcia, D-Unincorporated Adams County, sponsor of HB24-1223. “This bill streamlines and simplifies the process parents have to take to benefit from the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program so they can get their kids in affordable, quality care easier.”
HB24-1223 would increase access to childcare through the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCCAP) by creating a simplified universal application and limiting the application information to only what is necessary to determine eligibility.
“We know that children and youth living with kinship care are more likely to experience positive outcomes, including educational, improved behavioral and mental health and stronger feelings of belonging,” said Rep. Mary Young, D-Greeley, sponsor of SB24-008. “This legislation will remove barriers to kinship care by making it easier for relatives or others who have a significant relationship to the child to access certain resources such as housing, clothing and training. By directing financial reimbursement to non-certified kinship foster care, we can expand the pool of home like placements for our foster children and youth and increase access to certification.”
SB24-008, also sponsored by Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, R-Colorado Springs, would provide additional resources to families and kin caring for youth and children involved in foster care. Specifically, this bill would extend foster care certification to kinship placements, allowing kin to access training, resources, and financial assistance to help meet the basic needs of children and youth in their care. It defines the differences between kinship foster care and non-certified kinship care homes and allows for emergency financial assistance to these placements in order to help meet a child’s basic care and needs.
Kinship placements maintain family connections and provide normalcy and support for children who have been removed from their homes. Kinship care can promote safer and faster reunification with biological parents, and prevent further long-term involvement in the child welfare system. The bill is a result of recommendations from the 2023 Colorado's Child Welfare System Interim Study Committee Report.