Amid the unprecedented challenges of 2020, EPIC’s accomplishments include not only advancing our mission, but growing our memberships, partnerships, and our own identity. This included launching a new and vibrant website and logo that showcase EPIC as it is today – a positive influence for business leaders and our state’s future. As advocates for family-friendly workplaces and policies to ensure children have access to high-quality early childcare and education, we stand on the principle of “What’s Good for Children is Good for Business.” Our objective to equip children to reach their future potential also means enabling their parents to thrive in today’s workplace. Although it turned the world upside down in many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has served to draw even greater attention to the huge deficit of quality childcare and how it negatively impacts working parents. Working mothers, especially, have left the workforce in larger numbers than ever before – and are yet to return – due to the necessary prioritization of caring for children. Colorado had a childcare crisis before the pandemic. In this new economy, EPIC is contributing to critical conversations and providing thought leadership towards solid, tangible solutions. 2020 has served to elevate a recognition of the significance of our mission as well as our position of expertise in the arena of childcare and its relationship to a sustainable, thriving economy. We are honored and proud to have been a part of advancing early childcare in Colorado this year: EPIC played a role in developing and passing three bills related to early care and education: Proposition EE was overwhelmingly approved by voters on November’s ballot and will tax tobacco and vaping products and fund early preschool for all four-year-old children. Legislation that addresses the recruitment, retention, and professional education of early childhood professionals Legislation which enables individuals living in HOA-managed neighborhoods to provide childcare within their homes We partnered with state legislators and community partners to discover solutions around identifying unused publicly owned real estate that can serve as locations for early childcare and education facilities. EPIC partnered with Guild Education to design and successfully navigate the creation of an on-site childcare center on the third floor of Republic Plaza in downtown Denver. EPIC supported pandemic-devastated childcare businesses and tapped into member and community connections to support operational needs such as, drafting liability waivers, restructuring leases, and eliminating purchase limits and supply chain issues. EPIC and the United Way partnered with a group of community organizations to create the “Keep the Lights On” fund, raising more than $1 million to provide PPE and supplies like bleach and toilet paper to keep childcare centers open and safe. To learn more about EPIC’s accomplishments in 2020 we invite you to watch our Year in Review video. We are mobilized to continue our momentum and positive impact in 2021. The following strategic priorities have been identified to guide EPIC’s work and programs as we move forward into a year in which we anticipate even greater possibilities: Leveraging the voices […]
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Child-achievement-862985_1920.jpg12801920EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngEPIC2021-01-12 15:35:122025-06-12 14:24:53Driving Forward and Reflecting on 2020 – A Year of Challenge and Achievement
A child’s most critical brain development occurs before they enter Kindergarten. In the first few years of life, more than one million new neural connections form each second. When children develop early literacy skills and a love of reading during their formative years, they become successful readers and grow up to be strong contributors to their communities and the workforce. Since 2013, more than 600,000 books have been distributed to children who do not have a home library through EPIC’s Colorado Business Reads program. In January, we will substantially extend the reach of this program through partnerships with both Book Trust as well as Reach Out and Read Colorado. “We are excited to join with these two early literacy leaders to enable EPIC members to put more books in the hands of the kids who need them,” explained EPIC Board Chairman, David Hammond. Book access is the single biggest barrier to literacy. In low-income areas around the country, the ratio of books-to-children is one book to 300 kids. Research shows that 75% of children who are not proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade are four times less likely to graduate high school, and 52% percent of Colorado 4th grade students are not reading at grade level. Access to books is not enough. Studies confirm that ownership and choice of books increases students’ motivation to read and increases reading achievement. Book Trust was founded in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2001 with the mission to engage every child in book choice and ownership to cultivate literacy-rich communities. At schools across Colorado, Book Trust serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade. During each month of the academic year, students choose two to three books, at no cost to them, from the Scholastic Book Clubs’ flyer. Teachers and students celebrate the arrival of book orders and students read at school and at home, sharing with one another and engaging family members in the reading process. Over the course of the school year, students will add up to 25 books to their home libraries. “Book Trust is an equity game changer, creating a culture of literacy in the classroom and the living room,” explained Kellie O’Keefe, President and CEO of Book Trust. “We are honored to partner with EPIC – a true champion for early childhood literacy. Together, we can ensure Book Trust students discover the joy and power of reading.” Reach Out and Read Colorado encourages early reading and advances literacy messaging to families with young children by supplying books to children through their primary health care provider within the context of well-child visits. As a trusted messenger, the pediatrician can increase awareness of early literacy and encourage families to read with children. Greater than 90% of young children visit their pediatricians. During a visit, the child receives a book with a literal or figurative prescription to read, including shared reading within the family. Shared reading is a key component in promoting language development in young children and nurturing emergent literacy skills. […]
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/reading-at-home_shutterstock_1294045150.jpg6671000EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngEPIC2020-12-10 19:41:532025-06-12 14:24:51EPIC and Partners Boost Early Childhood Literacy
“There is nothing that succeeds in life like boldness, provided you believe you are on the right side.” – Woodrow Wilson Beyond the confidence that we are on the right side, it’s a deep conviction that inspires and informs EPIC’s (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children) bold work to ensure the strength of Colorado’s economic future by supporting its workforce and families today. We thank the voters and business leaders of Colorado for sharing that conviction and joining with us on Election Day to actualize a foundational element of our vision by ratifying Proposition EE. Through taxation of tobacco and nicotine vaping products, universal preschool will now be a reality for all Colorado four-year-old children. Our nation’s businesses are confronting challenges more critical than at any other period in history, including the growing shortage and lack of access to childcare for the workforce. In response to a recent survey of Colorado parents, 79% of responders revealed that they had experienced at least one incident related to childcare that had an adverse impact on their work situation. Talented workers, especially women, are leaving the workforce in response to the lack of quality, affordable, childcare options. The availability of suitable childcare would enable them to remain in jobs, especially those that are more traditionally structured. As the pandemic has made clear, however, even remote and home-based workers lack childcare solutions. Without them, Colorado’s economy will suffer and decline as valuable employees – compelled to prioritize their family commitments – withdraw from the workforce. EPIC’s members and Board of Directors are leaders in the business community who are committed to finding bold solutions that help businesses, workers, and children thrive – and through these solutions, leave a legacy of change for Colorado’s future. EPIC acts as a catalyst to facilitate discussions and implement innovative solutions that empower the business community to build a stable workforce by focusing on its youngest, future leaders. Having helped secure universal kindergarten, and now preschool, for Colorado’s children, we step resolutely into the next phase of our work. To dynamically convey our commitments and pursuits, we’ve built a bold, new brand that includes a vibrant, new website and the transformation of our logo. The logo’s colors represent the range of perspectives and experiences that strengthen our communities and inspire our work. The arrows symbolize partners from the business, nonprofit and government sectors coming together to advance a shared purpose — supporting one another while building a stronger future for the next generation. We appreciate the extraordinary contributions of the visionary community leaders who work to advance EPIC’s cause and to demonstrate “What’s good for children is good for business.” We greatly appreciate Governor Jared Polis taking time to be part of EPIC’s recent Annual Business Leaders Event, his recognition of EPIC’s contributions, and acknowledgement of the role we will enthusiastically embrace in developing the state’s universal preschool program. As he noted, “We have an amazing opportunity to make transformational change by giving young children the opportunity that every […]
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/thumbs-up-kid_shutterstock_1138310537.jpg6671000EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngEPIC2020-11-04 16:01:392026-02-17 15:48:31Leading into the Future
Colorado youth are now using nicotine vaping products at twice the national average — the highest rate in the country. 30% of teens say they vape, and e-cigarettes are now the second-most tried substance among youth. The health of our young people is at stake and, this November, we’ve been given an opportunity to take action by voting yes on Proposition EE. Currently, Colorado does not tax nicotine vaping products and our cigarette tax is among the lowest in the country. By increasing the cost to purchase, people — especially youth — will be less likely to use these harmful substances. Proposition EE would close the tax loophole on nicotine vaping products to bring the rate in line with other tobacco products and slowly increase cigarette taxes from 84 cents in 2020 to $2.64 in 2027. Preliminary research on vaping products suggests that they pose a risk to heart, lung, and oral health. A Center for Disease Control and Prevention report also found that vaping with nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under age 25 and that young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future. From our perspectives, we immediately think of the negative impacts these health effects have on military readiness, healthcare costs for families, and many other downstream challenges that arise from the use of these substances. In fact, 70% of Colorado’s youth are ineligible for military service and the leading cause is health and fitness. In 2019, concerns about the health effects of nicotine products led the Surgeons General of the Air Force, Army, Navy, and United States to announce that “the use of tobacco products among service members is pervasive, harmful, and an urgent public health problem,” and is such “irrespective of whether it is smoked, smokeless, or electronic,” and urged all service members to remain tobacco free to “build a stronger, healthier and more resilient force.” When it comes to addressing the issue, research shows that a tax on these products will, in fact, result in reduction of use. It is estimated that for every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes, there is a decrease in youth usage of approximately 7 percent. But decreasing teen vaping rates is not the only critical issue Proposition EE will address. Revenue from the measure would also help avoid crippling budget cuts to K-12 schools, provide access to universal preschool for all Colorado 4-year-olds, and support affordable housing and eviction assistance — all essential pieces in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Universal preschool is critical to supporting a strong economy and ensuring a bright future for Colorado’s children and families. Early childhood education has proven to support long-term educational and professional outcomes for kids, including higher wages and higher graduation rates. The positive impacts are particularly strong for children living in families with low incomes and children of color, who disproportionately face barriers to educational opportunity in comparison with their peers. Access to free preschool also gives parents […]
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Yes-on-EE-logo-horizontal-with-tagline.png260861EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngEPIC2020-11-03 11:53:412025-06-12 14:24:48It’s Time to Invest in Colorado’s Future and Stop Teen Vaping
COVID-19 has been devastating to many of Colorado’s industries and to much of our economy. As we seek ways to recover, one of the continued effects of the pandemic is the significant toll it has taken on parents of young children and the fracturing of our early childcare systems.
Driving Forward and Reflecting on 2020 – A Year of Challenge and Achievement
/in BlogAmid the unprecedented challenges of 2020, EPIC’s accomplishments include not only advancing our mission, but growing our memberships, partnerships, and our own identity. This included launching a new and vibrant website and logo that showcase EPIC as it is today – a positive influence for business leaders and our state’s future. As advocates for family-friendly workplaces and policies to ensure children have access to high-quality early childcare and education, we stand on the principle of “What’s Good for Children is Good for Business.” Our objective to equip children to reach their future potential also means enabling their parents to thrive in today’s workplace. Although it turned the world upside down in many ways, the COVID-19 pandemic has served to draw even greater attention to the huge deficit of quality childcare and how it negatively impacts working parents. Working mothers, especially, have left the workforce in larger numbers than ever before – and are yet to return – due to the necessary prioritization of caring for children. Colorado had a childcare crisis before the pandemic. In this new economy, EPIC is contributing to critical conversations and providing thought leadership towards solid, tangible solutions. 2020 has served to elevate a recognition of the significance of our mission as well as our position of expertise in the arena of childcare and its relationship to a sustainable, thriving economy. We are honored and proud to have been a part of advancing early childcare in Colorado this year: EPIC played a role in developing and passing three bills related to early care and education: Proposition EE was overwhelmingly approved by voters on November’s ballot and will tax tobacco and vaping products and fund early preschool for all four-year-old children. Legislation that addresses the recruitment, retention, and professional education of early childhood professionals Legislation which enables individuals living in HOA-managed neighborhoods to provide childcare within their homes We partnered with state legislators and community partners to discover solutions around identifying unused publicly owned real estate that can serve as locations for early childcare and education facilities. EPIC partnered with Guild Education to design and successfully navigate the creation of an on-site childcare center on the third floor of Republic Plaza in downtown Denver. EPIC supported pandemic-devastated childcare businesses and tapped into member and community connections to support operational needs such as, drafting liability waivers, restructuring leases, and eliminating purchase limits and supply chain issues. EPIC and the United Way partnered with a group of community organizations to create the “Keep the Lights On” fund, raising more than $1 million to provide PPE and supplies like bleach and toilet paper to keep childcare centers open and safe. To learn more about EPIC’s accomplishments in 2020 we invite you to watch our Year in Review video. We are mobilized to continue our momentum and positive impact in 2021. The following strategic priorities have been identified to guide EPIC’s work and programs as we move forward into a year in which we anticipate even greater possibilities: Leveraging the voices […]
EPIC and Partners Boost Early Childhood Literacy
/in BlogA child’s most critical brain development occurs before they enter Kindergarten. In the first few years of life, more than one million new neural connections form each second. When children develop early literacy skills and a love of reading during their formative years, they become successful readers and grow up to be strong contributors to their communities and the workforce. Since 2013, more than 600,000 books have been distributed to children who do not have a home library through EPIC’s Colorado Business Reads program. In January, we will substantially extend the reach of this program through partnerships with both Book Trust as well as Reach Out and Read Colorado. “We are excited to join with these two early literacy leaders to enable EPIC members to put more books in the hands of the kids who need them,” explained EPIC Board Chairman, David Hammond. Book access is the single biggest barrier to literacy. In low-income areas around the country, the ratio of books-to-children is one book to 300 kids. Research shows that 75% of children who are not proficient readers by the end of 3rd grade are four times less likely to graduate high school, and 52% percent of Colorado 4th grade students are not reading at grade level. Access to books is not enough. Studies confirm that ownership and choice of books increases students’ motivation to read and increases reading achievement. Book Trust was founded in Fort Collins, Colorado, in 2001 with the mission to engage every child in book choice and ownership to cultivate literacy-rich communities. At schools across Colorado, Book Trust serves students in Pre-Kindergarten through 3rd grade. During each month of the academic year, students choose two to three books, at no cost to them, from the Scholastic Book Clubs’ flyer. Teachers and students celebrate the arrival of book orders and students read at school and at home, sharing with one another and engaging family members in the reading process. Over the course of the school year, students will add up to 25 books to their home libraries. “Book Trust is an equity game changer, creating a culture of literacy in the classroom and the living room,” explained Kellie O’Keefe, President and CEO of Book Trust. “We are honored to partner with EPIC – a true champion for early childhood literacy. Together, we can ensure Book Trust students discover the joy and power of reading.” Reach Out and Read Colorado encourages early reading and advances literacy messaging to families with young children by supplying books to children through their primary health care provider within the context of well-child visits. As a trusted messenger, the pediatrician can increase awareness of early literacy and encourage families to read with children. Greater than 90% of young children visit their pediatricians. During a visit, the child receives a book with a literal or figurative prescription to read, including shared reading within the family. Shared reading is a key component in promoting language development in young children and nurturing emergent literacy skills. […]
Leading into the Future
/in Blog“There is nothing that succeeds in life like boldness, provided you believe you are on the right side.” – Woodrow Wilson Beyond the confidence that we are on the right side, it’s a deep conviction that inspires and informs EPIC’s (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children) bold work to ensure the strength of Colorado’s economic future by supporting its workforce and families today. We thank the voters and business leaders of Colorado for sharing that conviction and joining with us on Election Day to actualize a foundational element of our vision by ratifying Proposition EE. Through taxation of tobacco and nicotine vaping products, universal preschool will now be a reality for all Colorado four-year-old children. Our nation’s businesses are confronting challenges more critical than at any other period in history, including the growing shortage and lack of access to childcare for the workforce. In response to a recent survey of Colorado parents, 79% of responders revealed that they had experienced at least one incident related to childcare that had an adverse impact on their work situation. Talented workers, especially women, are leaving the workforce in response to the lack of quality, affordable, childcare options. The availability of suitable childcare would enable them to remain in jobs, especially those that are more traditionally structured. As the pandemic has made clear, however, even remote and home-based workers lack childcare solutions. Without them, Colorado’s economy will suffer and decline as valuable employees – compelled to prioritize their family commitments – withdraw from the workforce. EPIC’s members and Board of Directors are leaders in the business community who are committed to finding bold solutions that help businesses, workers, and children thrive – and through these solutions, leave a legacy of change for Colorado’s future. EPIC acts as a catalyst to facilitate discussions and implement innovative solutions that empower the business community to build a stable workforce by focusing on its youngest, future leaders. Having helped secure universal kindergarten, and now preschool, for Colorado’s children, we step resolutely into the next phase of our work. To dynamically convey our commitments and pursuits, we’ve built a bold, new brand that includes a vibrant, new website and the transformation of our logo. The logo’s colors represent the range of perspectives and experiences that strengthen our communities and inspire our work. The arrows symbolize partners from the business, nonprofit and government sectors coming together to advance a shared purpose — supporting one another while building a stronger future for the next generation. We appreciate the extraordinary contributions of the visionary community leaders who work to advance EPIC’s cause and to demonstrate “What’s good for children is good for business.” We greatly appreciate Governor Jared Polis taking time to be part of EPIC’s recent Annual Business Leaders Event, his recognition of EPIC’s contributions, and acknowledgement of the role we will enthusiastically embrace in developing the state’s universal preschool program. As he noted, “We have an amazing opportunity to make transformational change by giving young children the opportunity that every […]
It’s Time to Invest in Colorado’s Future and Stop Teen Vaping
/in BlogColorado youth are now using nicotine vaping products at twice the national average — the highest rate in the country. 30% of teens say they vape, and e-cigarettes are now the second-most tried substance among youth. The health of our young people is at stake and, this November, we’ve been given an opportunity to take action by voting yes on Proposition EE. Currently, Colorado does not tax nicotine vaping products and our cigarette tax is among the lowest in the country. By increasing the cost to purchase, people — especially youth — will be less likely to use these harmful substances. Proposition EE would close the tax loophole on nicotine vaping products to bring the rate in line with other tobacco products and slowly increase cigarette taxes from 84 cents in 2020 to $2.64 in 2027. Preliminary research on vaping products suggests that they pose a risk to heart, lung, and oral health. A Center for Disease Control and Prevention report also found that vaping with nicotine can permanently affect brain development in people under age 25 and that young people who use e-cigarettes may be more likely to smoke cigarettes in the future. From our perspectives, we immediately think of the negative impacts these health effects have on military readiness, healthcare costs for families, and many other downstream challenges that arise from the use of these substances. In fact, 70% of Colorado’s youth are ineligible for military service and the leading cause is health and fitness. In 2019, concerns about the health effects of nicotine products led the Surgeons General of the Air Force, Army, Navy, and United States to announce that “the use of tobacco products among service members is pervasive, harmful, and an urgent public health problem,” and is such “irrespective of whether it is smoked, smokeless, or electronic,” and urged all service members to remain tobacco free to “build a stronger, healthier and more resilient force.” When it comes to addressing the issue, research shows that a tax on these products will, in fact, result in reduction of use. It is estimated that for every 10 percent increase in the price of cigarettes, there is a decrease in youth usage of approximately 7 percent. But decreasing teen vaping rates is not the only critical issue Proposition EE will address. Revenue from the measure would also help avoid crippling budget cuts to K-12 schools, provide access to universal preschool for all Colorado 4-year-olds, and support affordable housing and eviction assistance — all essential pieces in recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. Universal preschool is critical to supporting a strong economy and ensuring a bright future for Colorado’s children and families. Early childhood education has proven to support long-term educational and professional outcomes for kids, including higher wages and higher graduation rates. The positive impacts are particularly strong for children living in families with low incomes and children of color, who disproportionately face barriers to educational opportunity in comparison with their peers. Access to free preschool also gives parents […]
Supporting Our Youngest Learners is Critical for Colorado’s Economic Recovery
/in BlogCOVID-19 has been devastating to many of Colorado’s industries and to much of our economy. As we seek ways to recover, one of the continued effects of the pandemic is the significant toll it has taken on parents of young children and the fracturing of our early childcare systems.