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The Mother of All Advice Columns
You often don’t know the value of what you’ve lived through until it’s in the past. If you’ve had kids at home throughout this pandemic, you have so many life lessons to share with other parents. But putting the pandemic aside for a moment, traveling the long road...
The Final Countdown: Make Your Voice Heard for Families During the Last Few Days of Colorado’s Legislative Session
Colorado’s 2022 legislative session ends this Wednesday, May 11th, and your voice is needed now more than ever to get bills that will support our state’s kids and families over the finish line! We’ve put together a list of bills that are still moving and ways you can...
The Mother of All Advice Columns
We asked parents, “if you met yourself three years ago – what parenting advice would you share?” This is what they told us.
Shifting Colorado Toward a Culture of Mandatory Supporting
With HB22-1240 Mandatory Reporters making its way through the Colorado legislature, an opportunity to transform how we approach ensuring child and family safety and well-being, including reducing disparities, is on the horizon for our state. The bill highlights the...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring An Early Childhood Teacher
We are so excited to announce that we are hiring an Early Childhood Teacher! Under the guidance of the Child Care Manager, the Early Childhood Teacher will plan, organize, implement, and deliver an infant and toddler program curriculum to meet enrolled children’s...
This Digital Advocacy Day, Speak Up to Prevent Child Abuse
Prevent Child Abuse (PCA) America’s Digital Advocacy Day is today, April 27th! YOU can participate by reaching out to your members of Congress and using your voice to urge them to support children and families across Colorado and nationwide.How can I get involved?...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Bilingual Communications & Education Associate
We are so excited to announce that we are hiring a Bilingual Communications & Education Associate! Under the guidance of the Communications Manager, this position will work with our entire organization and community members from all over the state to manage first...
You Don’t Have to Carry the Emotional Load of Parenthood Alone
A big reason I’ve become so involved in my community and eager to support parents is because of my own personal story and experience receiving support. In October 2018 I experienced every parents worst nightmare: my three and a half year-old son passed away. After...
New Kid on the Block: Caramel Expands Illuminating Child Care to Pueblo and Fremont Counties
Caramel, Illuminating Child Care’s newest member of the fleet, was introduced to the Pueblo community at an open house on April 14th. Members of the community and local media toured the new classroom, learned more about the program and saw how the on-site classroom...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Community Initiatives Associate
We are so excited to announce that we are hiring a Community Initiatives Associate! Under the guidance of the Senior Community Initiatives Manager, the Community Initiatives Associate is responsible for managing logistics and coordinating tasks for coalitions and...
How to Help Your Picky Eater
Mother, pediatric therapist and Co-founder of Kinspire offers tips to ease mealtime stress with your picky eater.
One Father’s Journey Through Parenthood with Community Resources
I never thought I would ever become homeless until it happened. A number of events led me to a point in my life where I needed to find a temporary home so that I could start working to rebuild my life from the ground up and continue to support my basic needs and be...
Colorado Substance Exposed Newborn Effort Name Change: Introducing SuPPoRT Colorado
Our collaborative effort has a new name! Moving forward, the groups that were previously referred to as the Colorado Substance Exposed Newborns (SEN) Steering Committee, Family Advisory Board, and associated Work/Advisory Groups will be collectively known as...
The Inner Conversation I Need to Have with Myself Every Day.
I am sitting here watching my son play with his friend thinking about all of the things that have blown up this week all while smiling for him. Let’s be honest, there are times when this parenting thing is just hard. Like when you get to the point where you are not...
Supporting Better Beginnings Through HB22-1295
Colorado prospers when our youngest children thrive because they are our future workers, leaders and community members. No matter where they live–the plains, mountains, rural areas or urban centers–children need high-quality experiences and loving relationships to...
Parents’ Stories a Focus of the Campaign to Grow a Better Tomorrow for All Children, Together
Nearly one hundred people gathered on the steps of the Colorado State Capitol to promote positive childhood experiences and listen to parents share their experiences in recognition of child abuse prevention month. The event is the first of many activities happening...
Parents: It’s Time to Talk About Strengthening Our Families
For more than ten years now, you may have seen gardens of pinwheels planted at your child’s school, day care or a local hospital or nonprofit organization, and wondered, why? It’s because pinwheels are the national symbol for child abuse prevention meant to start a...
Trauma Informed Yoga for the Child Welfare Professional
Have you ever taken a class on the importance of self-care, but never actually had the opportunity to practice what was taught? Bloom Yoga is partnering with The Colorado Department of Human Services (CDHS) and The Child Welfare Training System to offer a variety of...
It’s Time for Us To Cover All Coloradans
Illuminate Colorado is proud to join a wide array of healthcare providers, community organizations and citizens across Colorado in advocating for HB22-1289 Health Benefits For Colorado Children And Pregnant Persons, a recently-introduced bill being led by the Center...
Meeting Parents Where They Are – Bringing Child Care with Us
Before any parent goes back to work, gets into treatment or tries to tackle any one of life's challenges that may take them away from their child, they need to find child care. It's a problem all parents can relate to, but solutions depend entirely on what access to...
Time To Plant Your Pinwheels!
This time of year, for more than ten years now, you may have seen gardens of pinwheels planted in the community, at school, day care or a local hospital or nonprofit organization, and wondered, why? It’s because planting pinwheels represents the bright childhoods we...
Call for Proposals: 2022 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference
The planning for the 2022 Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference is well under way. This year, we will be in person in Pueblo, CO, September 19-21, 2022, and we couldn’t be more excited! This conference is an important opportunity to highlight ways...
Let’s Make Colorado Works Truly Work for Colorado Families
When we work together to build Protective Factors, it is possible to create a Colorado where all children and families thrive. House Bill 22-1259, a bill that would enhance our state’s efforts to invest in the well-being of Colorado families by making critical...
Increasing Food Access in Schools Is on This Week’s Menu at the Colorado Legislature
Increasing food access in schools is on the menu at the Colorado legislature this legislative session. SB22-087 Healthy Meals for All Public School Students, a bill that would make school meals available at no cost to all students in participating Colorado school...
Necessary and Adequate Medical Care for Your Child is Not Child Abuse
Organizational Statement Opposing the Actions of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton Providing necessary and adequate medical care to your child is not child abuse, and transgender and non-binary children need access to age-appropriate, individualized medical care just...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring: Director of Family Connects (POSITION FILLED)
We are so excited to announce that we are hiring a Director of Family Connects! Under the guidance of the Executive Director, the Director of Family Connects will lead the State Intermediary functions related to planning and implementation of the Family Connects model...
Bill To Make Diapers More Affordable Passes Colorado’s House Finance Committee
Earlier this week, HB22-1055, a bill being led by the Don’t Tax Dignity Coalition and proudly supported by Illuminate Colorado, passed its first hearing with a bipartisan vote of 8-3 in the House Finance Committee. HB22-1055 Sales Tax Exemption Essential Hygiene...
Three Ways to Start a Conversation with Your Nurse That Will Change the Way You Parent
As a nurse, talking with patients is one of my favorite things to do. It’s wonderful interacting with patients and their families while providing the knowledge and resources that empower them to take control of their health. Patient education is a key component of...
How to Develop and Foster Parent Leadership
Last week, we published Meaningful Parent Leadership and Why It Matters, a blog by Candice Bataille discussing the importance of parent leadership and how it fits into Circle of Parents. In this blog, Candice shares how to develop parent leaders within the Circle of...
Survey Says: The Time is Now for Colorado to Invest Resources in the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse
Research published in Creating a Colorado Where Children Grow Up Free From Sexual Abuse: An Issue Brief on the Prevention of Child Sexual Abuse in Colorado at the end of 2021 indicates that the conditions are right and the time is now for Colorado to invest resources...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring A Strategic Initiatives Manager (POSITION FILLED)
We are so excited to announce that we are hiring a Strategic Initiatives Manager! Under the guidance of the Director of Strategic Initiatives, the Strategic Initiatives Manager will manage the implementation of a multiyear federal grant, including facilitating multi...
Meaningful Parental Leadership and Why It Matters
It’s hard to believe, but it’s already the beginning of February. And that means it’s officially Parent Leadership Month. It’s a time designed to highlight the opportunities and engage in partnerships that support strong and lasting roles for parents as leaders. One...
Illuminating Policy in 2022
The regular session of the Colorado General Assembly kicked off on Wednesday, January 12th, and Illuminate Colorado is continuing its commitment to ensuring Colorado's state policies build brighter childhoods for all Coloradans. Illuminate has prioritized 2022 policy...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring: Director of Family Connects (POSITION FILLED)
We are so excited to announce that we are hiring a Director of Family Connects! Under the guidance of the Executive Director, the Director of Family Connects will lead the State Intermediary functions related to planning and implementation of the Family Connects model...
Reflecting on a Year of Supporting Colorado Families Affected by Substance Use During Pregnancy
What a 2021 we had in our collaborative efforts to move towards a Colorado that equitably serves all families through prevention and reduction of substance use during pregnancy and provides multigenerational support for families to thrive! We wish you rest and...
Illuminating Leadership Award Recipients Light the Way Toward Brighter Childhoods
For several years, Illuminate Colorado has honored the contributions of exceptional individuals and organizations who have furthered our collective mission to strengthen families, organizations and communities to prevent child maltreatment. “The work that we do at...
Mom, You’re Too Much
Working in the field of sexual assault prevention can make a mom a tad neurotic, no? When my three were babies, I added anatomically correct body parts to our sing-along songs “Head, Shoulders, penis, Knees and Toes.” My spouse would shake his head and laugh, “You’re...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring a Strategic Initiatives Manager (POSITION FILLED)
We are excited to announce that we are hiring a Strategic Initiatives Manager! Under the guidance of the Director of Strategic Initiatives, the Strategic Initiatives Manager will facilitate coalitions and work groups with an emphasis on behavioral health system...
Less than half of parents in Colorado aren’t doing this one thing that could protect their children from experiencing sexual abuse.
“Today on 9news Mornings, we tackled a tough topic-- one that makes many parents-- and kids-- uncomfortable yet one that desperately needs to be talked about: child sexual abuse," said 9news anchor Corey Rose in her post in the 9news It Takes a Village Facebook Group...
Eight Ways to Strengthen Your Family and Community Before the End of the Year
Since November 1, Illuminate has been shining a light on ways you can get involved and illuminating ways that you can strengthen your family and the families in your neighborhood this holiday season. If you feel strongly about supporting your community, protecting the...
NEW Trauma-Informed Communication and Care Provider Education Series
“We regularly hear from our colleagues that they recognize the importance of taking a trauma-informed approach to patient care, but very few have had the opportunity to receive formal training on trauma-informed care and communication,” said Dr. Laurie Halmo,...
Five Minutes With My Congressman
Recently, I had a chance to talk with an aide from the 4th district represented by Congressman Ken Buck about the FASD Respect Act (H.R. 4151 and S.2238). This piece of legislation could change my family’s life and potentially prevent hundreds of thousands of...
Hero’s Health Grant from CHC: Creating Healthier Communities Supports Fathers of Freedom in Colorado Springs
Today Creating Healthier Communities (CHC) announced Illuminate Colorado as one of four awardees of its Hero’s Health grant. The $10,000 grants, awarded to CHC nonprofit partners committed to serving active and retired military communities through program and service...
New Research Provides Insight and Recommendations for Preventing Child Sexual Abuse
Denver (Nov. 10, 2021) – New research from Illuminate Colorado (Illuminate) examines data and trends related to child sexual abuse in Colorado and presents recommendations for preventing abuse statewide. The study also highlights known solutions to the problem of...
Illuminating Child Care is Expanding to the San Luis Valley
Over the course of the next couple of months, the Early Childhood Council of the San Luis Valley is taking Acorn - Illuminate's newest renovated RV providing on-site child care - on a tour of the San Luis Valley, stopping at locations that are helping to strengthen...
Shape Our Future–Vote!
Every election is an opportunity to shape our communities, and the 2021 election is no different. While there are no people on the ballot, there are a number of state and local financial issues that will impact the lives of Colorado kids and families. The 2021...
Illuminate Colorado Is Hiring an Evaluation & Strategic Learning Associate (POSITION FILLED)
We are excited to announce that we are hiring an Evaluation & Strategic Learning Associate! Under the guidance of the Director of Evaluation and Strategic Learning, the Evaluation & Strategic Learning Associate will work across the organization to support...
Has your family been impacted by substance use during pregnancy?
If the answer to this question is yes, then there is an opportunity waiting for you to channel your experiences into change. Several spots on the Family Advisory Board are opening up in 2022. Your perspective is needed to build a Colorado that equitably serves all...
Back to BCEs – Strengthening Families through Benevolent Childhood Experiences
Having studied Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) for many years, Dr. Angela Narayan, an assistant professor in the clinical child psychology doctoral program in the Department of Psychology at the University of Denver, felt like the field of child abuse prevention...
Birthing Hospitals Poised to Help Every Baby Sleep Safe in Colorado
Many years ago, hospitals weren’t required to ensure that new babies went home in a car seat. That simple act of normalizing car seat safety as infants leave the hospital and head home with new, and often overwhelmed, parents and caregivers has no doubt saved...
Seeking New Board Members
Are you passionate about strengthening families, organizations and communities to prevent child maltreatment? Illuminate Colorado is growing our board of directors. We are seeking passionate, dedicated individuals representing multi-cultural perspectives and/or life experiences to join our Board of Directors.