Colorado Lab studies informed an array of legislation in this year’s session, including bills that were passed to strengthen care and learning for preschoolers and increase pathways to high school graduation. Our efforts included working with partners to conduct research studies, providing expert testimony, and evaluating the effectiveness of models. HB22-1295 – Department of Early […]
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2021 Legislative Session: Building Evidence to Effectively Implement Policy Wins
SB21-194 – Maternal Health Provider A landmark bill that includes the requirement to assess use of research evidence in perinatal policymaking to reduce disparities in maternal care and reduce maternal mortality. The study seeks to understand what aids and what gets in the way of using research evidence in policy development and uptake related to […]
Learning from ARPA Investments
Through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), the federal government provided $3.8 billion to Colorado in support of pandemic-related recovery efforts across health, education, economic development, housing, and other public sectors. The Colorado Lab is supporting the state in identifying opportunities to learn from these investments. The goal is for evaluation processes and […]
Early Childhood Stimulus Funding Evaluation
The Office of Early Childhood (OEC) at the Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) received a $119 million increase in Child Care and Development Fund grant funding, authorized through the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. The funds will be used to help support the recovery and growth of the child care industry. Additionally, […]
Supporting Centennial BOCES to Implement Project READY
Centennial BOCES (CBOCES), home to the state’s largest Migrant Education Program, provides educational services and opportunities to school districts across northern Colorado to support both small and large school districts in partnering on innovation. With funding support from the Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Funds (RISE) and implementation support from the Colorado Lab, CBOCES is addressing […]
Kristin Klopfenstein: Tom Clements Awardees Offer Inspiration
It was such an honor to serve as a judge this year to help select recipients for the Tom Clements Better Government Award. The award honors the life and services of Tom Clements who, after 30 years of serving the public, was tragically killed while serving as Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Corrections. […]
Jeffco’s Preventive Legal Services Pilot Program Launches
The Office of Respondent Parents’ Counsel (ORPC) is accepting referrals for indigent parents in Jefferson County whose unmet legal needs may be affecting the safety of their children. The pilot program launches this month and aims to connect parents to preventive legal services and keep families together by addressing legal problems such as housing and […]
Fostering Learning & Alignment Among District Attorneys’ Offices
The Colorado Lab is working with eight District Attorneys’ (DAs) Offices in Colorado to develop data dashboards to assist them with tracking progress toward greater efficiency, effectiveness, and fairness. Last month, we facilitated the second cross-jurisdiction learning meeting with elected DAs and implementation leads from each pilot site. The meeting provided an opportunity for offices […]
Sara Bayless Named External Research Partner
A warm welcome to Sara Bayless as she partners with the Colorado Lab in support of our work with the Colorado Partnership for Thriving Families (Partnership). Dr. Bayless, who serves as a Director at the OMNI Institute, is skilled in conducting research and evaluation that helps organizations advance the evidence for their social programming. The […]
Listening to Families to Learn What Helps Them Thrive
Words reflecting social support and connections that can help families thrive as expressed by participants in five Colorado communities during Colorado Lab-facilitated listening sessions. A new Colorado Lab report features diverse and insightful learnings from community listening sessions that were held with parents/caregivers to better understand how social connections and support can help families thrive. Research […]