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Jumping on the Bed

Our Vision

All children in Larimer County are valued, healthy and thriving.

Child Playing

Our Mission

We bring the community together to share knowledge and resources, build expertise and work collaboratively to ensure that all young children in Larimer County have the care, support and opportunities necessary to grow, learn and succeed.

Baby Crawling

Our Values

Collaboration

Recognition

Accountability

Excellence

Joy

Our Work

Early Childhood Council of Larimer County (ECCLC) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that rallies support, resources, and awareness to ensure every young child in our community has quality early childhood experiences so they thrive from day one. 

 

We work tirelessly and strategically together with everyone important in a young child’s life, from parents to teachers, and from physicians to psychologists, to prioritize nurturing early childhood relationships and environments.

 

We provide comprehensive supports for caregivers, including expert coaching and consultation; recruit and train early childhood professionals; spearhead community collaboration; advocate for solutions-based policies and funding; and design and pilot innovative programs.​

Whether in Estes Park or Wellington, Red Feather Lakes or Berthoud, every young child benefits from  committed caregivers and engaged professionals in their lives. When this happens, children grow up healthier, happier, and ready for success in school and in life. 
 

We only get one childhood. When every young child is cared for in an environment that invigorates their learning and supports their wellbeing, they are set up for a lifetime of health and happiness, which strengthens our entire community.

Swinging in Rubber Tire

The early childhood sector is in crisis: families can’t afford to pay and educators can’t afford to stay, making childcare a classic market failure. Early Childhood Council of Larimer County is the largest and most comprehensive organization in our region working to combat the childcare crisis on multiple fronts.

2025-2030 Strategic Framework

ECCLC Staff

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Erin Amidon, MA

She/Her

Early Childhood Coach
 

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Letha Gillisse, MA, IMH-E

She/Her

Early Childhood

Mental Health Consultant

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Logan Mansanarez, MPH

She/Her

Universal Preschool

Manager

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Lauren Powers

She/Her

Chief Financial and

Operating Officer

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Jamie Stewart

She/Her

Early Childhood Coach

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Heather Blanco, MA

She/Her

Chief Program Officer
 

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Christina Gomez, LMFT, IMH-E

She/Her

Early Childhood

Mental Health Consultant

Franny MeLampy

Franny MeLampy, MA

She/Her

Early Childhood

Mental Health Consultant

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Karly Kampe Quiroz

She/Her

Early Childhood

Workforce Manager

Christina Taylor

Christina Taylor, MPH

She/Her

Chief Executive Officer

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Tessa Currie, MPH

She/Her

Communications Manager
 

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Melia Goto

She/Her

Universal Preschool

Associate

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Liz Means, MNM

She/Her

Chief Strategy Officer

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Shannon Silvas

She/Her

Office and Finance Manager

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Keiko Friar

They/Them

Community Impact Manager
 

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Maribel Leon

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Early Childhood

Program Associate

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Taylor Osmundson

She/Her

Early Childhood Coach
 

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Heather Soderberg, IMH-E

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Early Childhood Coaching Manager

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Board of Directors

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Steve Kuehneman,

President

He/Him

Executive Director,

Care Housing
 

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Nicole Aguilar

She/Her

Supervisory Environmental 
Heath Specialist, LCDHE

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April Gerakos-Rooker

She/Her

Director, Investment Operations,
Timucuan Asset Mgmt, Inc.

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Anne Lance

She/Her

Executive Director,
Teaching Tree ELC

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Averil Strand,

Vice President

She/Her

Former Director of Community Health Services,

Larimer Cty Dept of Health & Env.

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Becca Benedict

She/Her

Director of Early Childhood, Poudre School District

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Melanie Gilbertson

She/Her

ECE Faculty
FRCC

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Thad Paul

He/Him

Division Manager, 
LCDHS

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Kristin Kurbjun,

Treasurer

She/Her

Project Manager, 
Hewlett Packard

 

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Abby Callan

She/Her

Program Manager, SummitStone Health Partners

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Allison Hughes

She/Her

Assist. Dir Alumni Engagement
CSU Alumni Association

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Valeria Silva-Woodruff

She/Her

TBRI Lead
CASA of Larimer County

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Lisa Auer,

Secretary

She/Her

Community Engagement Specialist, CSU Extension

Larimer County Office

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Lamb Caro

He/Him

Director of Early Childhood,

Thompson School District

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Susie Hochstetler

She/Her

EVICS Treasurer
 

Get in touch today!

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