DENVER—Child services offered by the state are being consolidated under a new state agency called the Office of Early Childhood.
The new office announced by Gov. John Hickenlooper Thursday will consolidate certain programs under the state Department of Human Services. A DHS spokeswoman says the consolidation includes things like the state’s 30 Early Childhood Councils and a program called Promoting Safe and Stable Families.
The consolidation does some but not all of a consolidation measure rejected by lawmakers earlier this year. Some Republicans complained that bill would have given the DHS too much control over early childhood services.
A spokeswoman for the department says it’s too soon to say whether the administration will seek another consolidation bill next year. The new Office of Early Childhood could be open by August.
