During the sometimes rocky rollout of Colorado’s Universal Preschool Program, Adams County Connections, led by WPS staffer Kelly Altizer has been a true success story. It has been so well run that earlier this month program coordinators from across the state came to Adams County to see first-hand how agencies could be run more efficiently and remain family-friendly.

 

Governor Jared Polis took note and stopped by to meet with the group. He thanked Altizer for organizing the event, as did the Temple Buell Foundation.

 

The Universal Preschool Program guarantees at least ten hours of preschool to all children in Colorado, but implementing the program was more difficult than state leaders had anticipated. Several school districts, including Westminster Public Schools, filed a lawsuit detailing the problems that districts and parents had encountered. The lawsuit was dismissed earlier this year and districts and the state are working to find a smoother path forward.

 

Adams County Connections is a unique public/private partnership that is designed to match families with the preschool program that best meets their needs. Altizer was selected to head the program after doing successful work with WPS.

 

“Kelly has emerged as a leader across the state of Colorado related to her work in early childhood education,” said Mat Aubuchon, Executive Director of Learning Services. “Kelly has become a go to leader for all things UPK across the state. She quickly realized that for UPK to roll out smoothly, there needs to be clear communication systems between local and state planners.”

 

One of the highlights of the gathering was the presentation of a video created by WPS in which kids talk about their love of preschool.