SAN MIGUEL, OURAY, MONTROSE, DELTA COUNTIES – The four-county Bright Futures Early Childhood Regional Council (San Miguel, Ouray, Montrose and Delta) has awarded $7,464 to 19 regional childcare providers, to go toward improving early childhood education in licensed facilities.

Well over half of the money awarded – $4,838 – was earmarked for purchasing the toys, books and equipment necessary to run a childcare center.

Most of the coming-online providers, explained Cathy James, executive director of Bright Futures, “are opening their personal homes to the public and they may not have items like playground equipment, security systems, fences or sun shade.

“Finding the funds to start any business is hard,” she added.

Bright Futures awarded $659 towards education and training required of licensees, and approximately $1,900 towards the purchase of evidence-based curriculums. “It is the Regional Council’s goal for all licensed childcare providers in our area to have access to an evidence based curriculum in their program,” James added.

“The providers are so appreciative of these grants,” said Jill Burchmore, Bright Futures program manager. “It is a warm, fuzzy feeling to call each recipient and personally tell them how we’d like to help. Then, we personally deliver the check to their facilities, meet them and see where our funds are working.”

The Bright Futures Regional Council covers over 300 square miles, from Telluride to Nucla/Naturita and from Paradox to Paonia/Cedaredge.

James and Burchmore have visited over 25 facilities in Montrose and Delta counties over the last month, and pronounced themselves pleased, James said, “at the quality of early childhood facilities in our area!”

Funded mostly by the Colorado Department of Education, the Bright Futures Regional Council has grant cycles in the fall and spring, along with one-time stimulus money, available now, to spend on curriculums and activity bags for families and on developing a partnership with regional libraries, for which all providers can apply.

Bright Futures for Early Childhood and Families is a nonprofit 501(c)3 organization supporting children birth to age 5 in providing quality childcare and education, and one of 31 Early Childhood Councils in the State of Colorado appointed by Governor Ritter. Bright Futures is a resource and referral service for both licensed childcare professionals and parents, providing free trainings, education and pre-licensing courses in the four counties as well as Gunnison and Hinsdale counties. For childcare in your area, visit www.qualistar.org or call 877/728-5613 (locally, 970/728-5613) or visit www.brightfuturesforchildren.org.