The Colorado Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) is a vital lifeline for many parents, providing the support necessary to work or pursue an education. Getting that official approval should be the end of the struggle, a moment of relief. Yet, for thousands of families in Aurora and across Colorado, the approval letter often leads to a new, frustrating reality: being “frozen out.” You have the benefit, but providers can’t or won’t accept it. GVI Preschools is committed to ending this gap.
The ‘Unfunded Mandate’ Strain on Providers
The financial mechanics behind CCAP acceptance are complex, and recent federal changes came without sufficient federal funding for the state. This “unfunded mandate” to increase provider reimbursement rates has created massive budget shortfalls for counties. For a child care center, accepting CCAP, even at higher rates, now means navigating a highly unstable financial landscape. Providers absorb more risk, which sadly limits the spots available for CCAP-enrolled children.
Low Reimbursement Rates & Cash Flow Challenges
Despite rate increases, many providers still find that the county’s reimbursement rate for CCAP doesn’t fully cover the true cost of quality preschool in Aurora. Beyond the rate, cash flow is a major issue. Private-pay parents pay tuition upfront; CCAP payments can often be delayed and involve cumbersome administrative work. This financial strain is simply too much for many small centers to manage, forcing them to prioritize private-pay families to keep their doors open.
County-Level Freezes and Waitlists
Perhaps the most immediate barrier is the county-level freeze. To manage the state’s budget shortfall, many Colorado counties, including those serving the Aurora area, have had to implement freezes or long waitlists on new CCAP enrollments. While the parent is technically approved, the county simply has no funds to authorize a new child’s care at that time. This policy of necessity leaves parents with an approved benefit effectively unable to use it for an indefinite period.
The GVI Preschools Commitment: A CCAP Solution
At GVI Preschools, we understand that a CCAP approval should be a guarantee, not a waiting game. We actively work with the CCAP system to maximize our capacity for subsidized enrollment, viewing it as a core part of our mission to serve the Aurora community. We manage the administrative load and the financial complexities because every child deserves access to a high-quality preschool learning environment.
This frustrating “frozen out” experience is real, but it doesn’t have to be your story. GVI Preschools believes in stability and accessibility. If you have been approved for CCAP, we encourage you to contact us today. Let us help you transition from the anxiety of the waitlist to the peace of mind that comes with dependable, quality preschool learning for your child.