United For Families
Program Mission
Promote healthy development and academic success for young children by increasing access to high-quality childcare and education, providing training for parents and caregivers, and investing in innovative community programs.
How The Program Works
Through a community-led approach, we are expanding access to high-quality early childhood education, so more children can enter kindergarten ready to thrive.
We provide technical assistance and training to improve the quality of childcare programs. This includes training and resources to support the Family, Friend, and Neighbor (FFN) providers who care for nearly 60% of young children in Colorado.
We connect families to resources and wraparound services, such as basic needs assistance, through our 211 Help Center.
We partner with community-based organizations and government agencies to expand the number of licensed high-quality child care slots.
We are also opening a child care and education center at our building in Five Points, providing nearly 60 high-quality slots for families with children ages 0-5.
Why EARLY EDUCATION MATTERS
90% of a child’s brain development happens in the first few years of life, laying the foundation for future learning and achievement.¹ Children who participate in quality early childhood education experience higher graduation rates and lifetime earnings.
Mile High United Way is committed to improving our childcare landscape and to moving the needle on school readiness through our United for Families program.
IMPACT AT A GLANCE
Last year:
- 773 parents and children served through our United for Families program
- 1,793 licensed early childhood education slots created or maintained through our investments
- 84 children provided with one-on-one school readiness support through our HIPPY program
- 2,370 home visitors from our Home Advisors to help children prepare for kindergarten
Learn More
Tamara M. Sparks Early Learning Center
The Mobile Preschool
The HIPPY Program
Our Stories
OUR 2025 GOALS
Increase the number of licensed, high-quality, affordable childcare slots by 35% in each of our target neighborhoods.
Increase the number of informal caregivers and parents who are receiving multi-generational early childhood education training for lasting impact.
Support
United for Families
Invest in Mile High United Way’s community programs, like United for Families, to help children get a strong start in life.
