EPIC Leaders and Partners Named to Denver’s Haynes-Gary Childcare Taskforce
DENVER, CO — Mayor Mike Johnston recently announced the launch of the Haynes-Gary Childcare Task Force, and EPIC is proud to see several members and partners selected to help share the future of childcare in Denver. Also included in the task force is EPIC President and CEO Nicole Riehl, with Colorado Executive Director Alethea Gomez serving as her proxy as needed. Building on the commitment outlined during the Mayor’s State of the City address on July 21, the task force will bring together families, childcare providers, educators, employers and community leaders to help shape a pathway to accessible, affordable childcare for every Denver family.
“Denver has an opportunity to become a national model for how communities address childcare through cross-sector collaboration,” said Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of EPIC. “I’m grateful to Mayor Johnston for recognizing that solving our childcare challenges requires employers, policymakers and community leaders working together. When businesses have a seat at the table, we can design practical, sustainable solutions that help parents participate in the workforce, strengthen employers and create lasting economic opportunity for our city.”
Beginning next month, the city will host a series of community listening sessions where parents, families, childcare providers, educators and other stakeholders will help inform recommendations about the future of childcare in Denver.
The Haynes-Gary Childcare Task Force, named in honor of lifelong youth advocates Anna Jo Garcia Haynes and Nancy Gary for their decades of dedication to improving opportunities for Denver children and families, will meet monthly to guide the development of recommendations. The task force includes several leaders from EPIC’s community of members and partners, reflecting the organization’s longstanding commitment to advancing childcare solutions across Colorado.
Haynes-Gary Childcare Task Force Members:
- Nicole Riehl, EPIC
- Elsa Holguin, Denver Preschool Program
- Rachel Romer, Guild
- Rob McDaniel, MetrixIQ
- Chelsea Carver, Mile High United Way
- Jason Callegari, Buell Foundation
- Steff Clothier, Gary Community Ventures
- Aasa Mills, The Beehive
- Alison Philips, Women’s Foundation of Colorado
- Allie Kimmel, Governor’s Office
- Britt Diehl, Downtown Denver Partnership
- Diana Romero Campbell, Denver City Council
- Elliot Haspel, Capita
- Ethan Hemming, Warren Village
- Katy Anthes, Former Colorado Commissioner of Education
- Lydia Prado, Lifespan Local
- Pamela Harris, Mile High Early Learning
- Jess Ridgway, Office of Children’s Affairs
- Erin Curtin, Office of Children’s Affairs
EPIC is proud to be part of this important conversation alongside families, childcare providers, educators, employers and community leaders working to strengthen Denver’s childcare system. Through the participation of EPIC members and partners, the Haynes-Gary Childcare Task Force brings together a diverse range of expertise and perspectives to help advance solutions that support children, families and the workforce.
Community input gathered through the listening tour will help inform the task force’s work and shape recommendations that reflect the needs and experiences of Denver families. Together, the task force and community engagement process represent an important step toward building a stronger childcare system that supports families and helps Denver’s economy thrive.