As Colorado’s Universal Preschool (UPK) program continues to grow, a transformative initiative is helping early childhood educators bring valuable health services into the classroom.
The Healthy Universal Preschool Collaborative (HUPC) is leading efforts across 11 rural and urban counties to bring essential support for young children’s oral health, vision, hearing, and development. With new Healthy Development Quality Standards starting in July 2025, this program is equipping preschools with the tools, resources, and strategies they need to meet new state requirements and, most importantly, tend to the well-being of their students.
A Central Connection: Health and Learning
Research has shown that a child’s ability to learn is closely related to their health. For example, neglected dental problems can cause pain and discomfort, preventing children from concentrating and participating in learning activities. By integrating health services into preschool education, the HUPC program is not only complying with new policies but also helping children perform better in school and thrive socially.
“The connection between health and education is undeniable. When children’s basic health needs are met, they’re better positioned to learn and thrive.”
– Eileen Auer Bennett, Executive Director of Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD)
The HUPC project is funded by the Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation and is supported by Assuring Better Child Health and Development (ABCD) and Healthy Child Care Colorado (HCCC). It is partnering with six Local Coordinating Organizations (LCOs) to add health screenings and referral processes in UPK settings.
The Power of Community Collaboration
At the heart of the HUPC are Co-Design Teams. These are collaborative groups that consist of educators, healthcare professionals, and local stakeholders. They work together to identify gaps in existing health services, develop local solutions, and create policies that align with both local needs and state requirements.
Key implementation strategies include:
Building community-based co-design teams
Engaging diverse stakeholders from the education and healthcare industries.
Evaluating community gaps and resources to shape effective solutions
Creating sustainable screenings and referral policies
Offering total support and training
Professional development tools: training modules (on co-design methods, oral health integration, and screening implementation) as well as a self-paced Cavity-Free Kids (CFK) online course starting February 2025 on Colorado’s Professional Development Information System (PDIS)
Data and tracking tools: snapshots of community data and tools to monitor services for development, vision, hearing, and oral health
Family engagement materials: Referral guides, resources, and tools to help families connect with essential health services
Real Progress, Tangible Impact
Since its launch, the HUPC project has already reached important milestones:
6 Local Coordinating Organizations representing 11 rural and urban counties participate in the project: Alamosa, Conejos, Costillo, Denver, El Paso, Fremont, Mineral, Morgan, Rio Grande, Saguache, and Weld counties.
100+ UPK programs are currently providing services to 1,500+ children in home, center, and school-based sites.
75+ community partners are engaged in Co-Design Teams, shaping local plans.
20+ Child Care Health Consultants are working with UPK programs and LCOs to provide health screenings using new tools created by the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE).
120+ early childhood professionals have been trained by the Cavity-Free Kids (CFK) online course, a self-paced program designed to help educators integrate oral health education into their daily practice.
Looking Ahead: A Model for the Future
With its innovative approach and proven track record, the Healthy Universal Preschool Collaborative is setting a new standard for integrating health services into early childhood education. As Colorado moves forward with the implementation of the Healthy Development Quality Standards, the HUPC project provides a replicable and scalable model that other states and communities can follow.
Ultimately, this initiative is all about working in partnership with Child Care Health Consultants, community-based solutions, and data-informed approaches. It is getting preschools ready for upcoming regulations and helping to create a future in which all children are able to grow, learn, and flourish in a healthy environment.
Join Us
Are you ready to transform your preschool into a model of health and educational excellence? Click here to find out more about the Healthy Universal Preschool Collaborative or contact Lorendia Schmidt (ABCD): lorendia@coloradoabcd.org
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