CU CARES: Childcare Answers, Resources & Educational Services

1. Where can I find out about childcare services and availability in my area?



2. I have never used childcare providers before. Is there a way for me to evaluate the various options available?



3. As a student parent, are my children eligible for childcare and other programs at on campus facilities?



4. Is there any financial assistance to help me meet the cost of childcare?



5. Where can I get information about the programs offered through the Children’s Center run by Family Housing?



6. Does CU offer any stimulating educational programs for the children of students, staff and faculty?



7. What resources are available for a mother who continues breastfeeding after returning to work?



8. My child has special medical needs. Are there specific childcare resources available for children with special needs?



9. What if my child is sick and I am unable to stay at home that day?



10. Does CU-Boulder have any plans to expand childcare or other day care services now provided?



11. What are the drop-in childcare options?



12. Where can I find information on tax assistance and dependent care?



13. Am I eligible for the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit?



14. I am a new parent and unsure about what type of car seat to buy, or even how to install it. Where can I find help?



15. Are there any resources available that will help me to take time from work to help at my child’s school without always using my vacation leave?

1. Where can I find out about childcare services and availability in my area?
   CU-Boulder has three main sources of information on childcare:
   • the CU CARES website http://childcare.colorado.edu
   • the CU-Boulder Childcare Resource Guide, a printable guide containing information on childcare services and programs which is available from the CU CARES Coordinator or may be downloaded from the website;
   • and the CU CARES Childcare Resource and Referral Service (303-492-8019).



2. I have never used childcare providers before. Is there a way for me to evaluate the various options available?
   Yes, there are several checklists, worksheets and other useful tools available in the CU-Boulder Childcare Resource Guide including information about the types of childcare available, and tips to help you choose the right one for your child. In addition, the CU CARES website has a number of links to other informative sources such as the Colorado Department of Personnel booklet “Working Your Way Through the Child Care Maze” which may be downloaded from the following site: http://www.state.co.us/dhr/eap/resource.htm



3. As a student parent, are my children eligible for childcare and other programs at on campus facilities?
   Yes, the children of undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, and staff employees are eligible for childcare facilities, services, and programs offered through CU-Boulder. The three principal sources of childcare information on and off campus are listed in Question #1 above. In addition to those resources listed above, the following on-campus services are available:
   • University of Colorado Children's Center
     http://childcare.colorado.edu
   • Child Learning Center - Speech Language & Hearing Sciences
     http://www.colorado.edu/CDSS/slhs/slhcenter.html
   • Drop-in Programs: Recreation Center Children’s Center
     http://www.colorado.edu/sacs/rec-center/facilities/child-care.html



4. Is there any financial assistance to help me meet the cost of childcare?
   Yes, in addition to Flexible Spending Accounts for Dependent Care (Contact Payroll & Benefit Services at 303-735-6500 or visit the Dependent Care FAQ on the CU CARES website), there are discounts offered to State of Colorado employees, and city, state, and federal programs. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of Financial Aid to review aid eligibility. For information about resources available, visit the “Financial Information ” section of the CU CARES website or look at the Financial Information section of the CU-Boulder Childcare Resource Guide.
   
   
5. Where can I get information about the programs offered through the Children’s Center run by Family Housing?
   The University of Colorado Children’s Center is located at 2202 Arapahoe Avenue, Boulder, CO, 80302. You may call FHCC at 303-492-6185 for information, or visit their website at:
   http://childcare.colorado.edu.



6. Does CU offer any stimulating educational programs for the children of students, staff and faculty?
   Yes, there are a variety of excellent programs and resources available for children, parents, and teachers.
   • Visit the “Enrichment Programs” section of the CU CARES website for information and a list of programs such as athletics programs, Science Discovery, and the CU Wizards Program.
   • Check out the “Enrichment Programs for Kids” section of the CU-Boulder Childcare Resource Guide for information about the Fiske Planetarium and the Museum of Natural History.



7. What resources are available for a mother who continues breastfeeding after returning to work?
   Visit the La Leche League’s website at http://www.lalecheleague.org/ for information about breastfeeding resources and information.



8. My child has special medical needs. Are there specific childcare resources available for children with special needs?
   You will find a listing of Special Needs Childcare Service Providers in the CU-Boulder Childcare Resource Guide, or you may call the CU CARES Coordinator at 303-492-8019 for additional resource and referral information.



9. What if my child is sick and I am unable to stay at home that day?
   There are providers in the area who offer childcare services for sick children. One such provider is Heart of Colorado (303-440-0384). They provide childcare in your own home for sick or healthy children. Take-A-Break Inc. in Lafayette (303-665-9741) also provides emergency back-up and in-home care. For additional resources, please visit the CU CARES website or call the CU CARES Coordinator at 303-492-8019.



10. Does CU-Boulder have any plans to expand childcare or other day care services now provided?
    The Child Care Task Force, in cooperation with the Chancellor and Vice Chancellor for Administration, is looking into the feasibility of building a new childcare center or expanding one of the existing centers on campus. More information about new childcare services and the possibility of a new or expanded childcare center will be forthcoming. Any news will be shared with the campus community via the CU CARES website and Buff Bulletin or Campus E-Memo.



11. What are the drop-in childcare options?
    There are several options for drop-in care that you might consider:
    • Drop-in care is available at minimal cost for Student Recreation Center patrons while working out at the center. For hours and fees, call 303-492- 6910, or visit their website at
      http://www.colorado.edu/sacs/rec-center/facilities/child-care.html
    • There are several campus programs listed on the CU CARES website under “Enrichment Programs for Kids.” These aren’t necessarily drop-in programs, but they may provide some alternatives when you need back-up options.
    • Contact the City of Boulder’s Community Resource and Referral Program at 303-441-3180.
    • In Boulder, contact the YWCA Children’s Alley at 2222 14th St. (303-449-1951) for information about their drop-in care offerings. Visit their website at: http://www.ywcaboulder.org/programs/childrensalley.html



12. Where can I find information on tax assistance and dependent care?
    Parents can receive tax assistance from the federal, and some state, governments to offset the cost of childcare. The Child Tax Credit provides a partially refundable credit of $500 per child, which can be used by a family to offset the cost of childcare. The National Women’s Law Center has several other sources you can send for or download at
    http://www.nwlc.org/details.cfm?id=348§ion=childcare
    There is also information available about Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts available in the form of an FAQ on the CU CARES website, or you can call Payroll & Benefit Services at 303-735-6500 to speak with a Benefits Counselor.



13. Am I eligible for the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit?
    The federal Child and Dependent Care Credit is a non-refundable tax credit worth up $1,440, depending on your income. In general, the higher your childcare expenses and the lower your income, the larger your credit. You must owe taxes, however, in order to claim this credit. Families who pay for the care of a child under age 13 or other dependents in order to work in paid employment are eligible. Check the National Women’s Law Center’s website at
    http://www.nwlc.org/details.cfm?id=348§ion=childcare and look for the fact sheet titled, “Lower Your Taxes or Increase Your Refund.”



14. I am a new parent and unsure about what type of car seat to buy, or even how to install it. Where can I find help?
    You can find resources for car seat safety in the CU-Boulder Childcare Resource Guide, and a variety of other childcare and parenting resources on the CU CARES website under “Additional Resources.” One direct resource for car seat safety is through the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
    http://www.nhsta.dot.gov/people/injury/childps/ a comprehensive source of information on child passenger safety in Colorado.



15. Are there any resources available that will help me to take time from work to help at my child’s school without always using my vacation leave?
    Classified employees are eligible to use up to 16 hours of administrative leave, per fiscal year, to participate in school or community volunteer activities. Examples of school activities for which you might request this leave include parent-teacher conferences, field trips, school plays or recitals, or to serve as a classroom aide. You must request this leave from your supervisor or appointing authority in advance, and approval is at his or her discretion. For more information, visit the Department of Human Resources website http://www.colorado.edu/humres/ and look for the Administrative Leave Guidelines under “Classified Staff - Policies and Procedures.”

• To download the Childcare Resource Guide as a PDF file, click here.