Kidsights Data at UNMC has joined in a groundbreaking partnership with the State of Colorado Department of Early Childhood to introduce the Kidsights Measurement Tool in Colorado, making the state a pioneer in this innovative initiative.
Aligned with CDEC’s mission to deliver an inclusive, community-centered, data-driven, high-quality and equitable early childhood system, this collaboration aims to establish new insights into child development and how it is supported across Colorado.
Kidsights Data, a cutting-edge initiative pioneered in Nebraska at the UNMC College of Public Health and connected to measurement efforts at the World Health Organization, offers a new view of early child development for children from birth to 5 years old. This unique tool provides population-level data on child development, empowering state government, policymakers, educators and advocacy organizations to make informed decisions and craft impactful policies and programs based on previously unavailable data.
“The Colorado Department of Early Childhood is pleased to collaborate with Kidsights Data as the first state government to use the tool,” Lisa Roy, EdD, executive director of the CDEC, said. “At the CDEC, we seek to make data-driven decisions to support children, families and early childhood professionals, and the Kidsights Data tool will give us insights previously unknown into how our Colorado children in the Colorado Universal Preschool Program are developing.”
Kidsights Data is the first initiative of its kind to produce child development outcome data from birth to age 5, offering insights that were previously unavailable, including overall development for groups of children when measured in the context of factors associated with disparities, such as family income, education and other family characteristics.
“Kidsights Data is not just about numbers; it’s a tool that brings to light the needs, successes and challenges of early childhood development,” said Abbie Raikes, PhD, associate professor at the UNMC College of Public Health and founder of Kidsights Data. “Together, we will harness the power of data to create a brighter tomorrow for every child in Colorado.”
The Kidsights Measurement Tool utilizes parent-report measures through an online survey, covering early development across motor, language, cognitive and social-emotional domains. By integrating data on family and environmental factors, the tool provides a holistic view of child development, enhancing understanding and decision-making.
Kidsights Data empowers stakeholders to create effective policies and programs for young children and families, engage communities in supporting early childhood development, and ultimately contribute to better health, learning and well-being over children’s lifetimes.