Welcome to
First Impressions of Routt County
Routt County’s Early Childhood Council
We are a dynamic organization dedicated to promoting the well-being and development of children during their crucial early years. Founded on the principle that every child deserves a strong start in life, we strive to provide support, resources, and advocacy for families, educators, and service providers.
About Us
We engage in a variety of activities to support our mission. From advocating for policies that benefit young children to providing professional development opportunities for early childhood educators, we are committed to creating a nurturing and supportive environment for children to learn, grow, and thrive.
History
Routt County’s Early Childhood Council and the program, First Impressions of Routt County, was formed in March 1997 after extensive community forums and needs assessments.
Mission
First Impressions of Routt County works to ensure that young children and educators will be provided adequate resources and quality programs to promote healthy development and school readiness.
Vision
The First Impressions Council strengthens the community’s collaborative web of resources where children, families and educators experience dignity and a sense of belonging.
Our Values
Engage
Actively informing and involving the community, stakeholders, and partners in the mission and initiatives of First Impressions.
Advance
Striving for progress and improvement in the field of early childhood development.
Access
Promoting inclusivity and equitable access to resources and services.
Early Childhood Community Plan
First Impressions is focused on the following top priority areas as identified by completing a grassroots review of strengths and opportunities throughout our communities in creating the Routt County Early Childhood Community Plan.
Increase Infant and Toddler Slots
To identify the barriers to the addition of new childcare slots or creation of new facilities and determine the ways in which those barriers might be mitigated while promoting family-friendly workplace policies and employee childcare options in the community.
Recruiting and Retaining a High-Quality Early Childhood Workforce
To encourage ECE as a viable and valuable career option, and increase compensation/benefits for early childhood workers and in the community.
Increase Access to Specialized Services
The Children’s Health Advocacy Team (CHAT) works to improve access to specialized physical and emotional health providers and services for children ages Birth to 8.
Thank You To Our Funders
Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Colorado Office of Early Childhood, Department of Human Services
Buell Foundation
Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation
Yampa Valley Community Foundation
Routt County Colorado
Routt County United Way
Routt County HRC
Routt County Child Care Needs Assessment Report
To identify a plan to address gaps in the system, the Craig-Scheckman Family Foundation (CSFF) and First Impressions of Routt County commissioned this needs assessment in October 2022 to clearly understand the state of early care and education (ECE) in the county.
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Between October 2022 and July 2023, researchers from the Butler Institute for
Families at the University of Denver (Butler) collected data to understand the
supply of and demand for ECE services of children birth through age 8 in
Routt County. The needs assessment used secondary data, interviews and
focus groups, and surveys to collect data from ECE providers, families, and
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Early Childhood Career Pathways in Colorado
ECCLA’s Early Childhood Career Pathway Tool! This resource is designed to support individuals seeking careers in Colorado’s Early Childhood Profession. Whether you are just beginning your journey or advancing in the profession, this tool will provide you with valuable information, resources, and guidance to help you navigate career pathways.
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Interested? Click here to Lear more about ECCLA'S career pathway!
