We are thrilled to announce that the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) has partnered with EPIC to bring back the Employer-Based Childcare Design Lab 2.0 to support employers, or community partnerships that include employers, to prepare and plan for the creation of an on-site or near-site childcare program. Starting now through August 2023, EPIC will host a series of virtual design sessions for lab participants to build knowledge and access tools to launch a childcare program, at or near their business locations. The inaugural Design Lab brought applicants from all industries and sectors, including local government, ski resorts, food industries, hospitals and school districts. This program was vital to organizations learning about topics outside of their areas of expertise and was highly beneficial to their community. Some of the employers in the Design Lab were: Steamboat Ski Resort, Community Hospital, Grand Junction, Fuel & Iron, Clear Creek School District, Weld County R-1 School District, Vail Valley Foundation, City of Aspen, Devonshire Acres and Rio Blanco County & City of Meeker. Project work continues for participants, many in rural and frontier communities. “This Design Lab helped us to show so many that said this was an impossible project that not only was it possible but would benefit our community in a multitude of ways now and in the future” Clear Creek County Representative Click here to learn more.
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Adeeb-Khan2.png295296Colorado EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngColorado EPIC2023-03-15 13:20:542025-06-12 14:26:20EPIC Board Member Adeeb Khan and Son Advocate for Universal Preschool Enrollment
As the business community’s nonpartisan voice for early childhood, EPIC leads efforts to build infrastructure and advance policies that support the workforce of today while developing the workforce of tomorrow. Our vision is powered by the business community’s leadership and commitment to early care and education, that all children entering kindergarten will have the skills they need to reach their full potential. We have outlined our 2023 priorities below: Priority #1: Support children’s development and the needs of working families Child care enables families to work, and families need access to a variety of affordable, high-quality early childhood supports and choices for their children. Colorado must strive for funding and program administration that is an aligned, user-friendly, transparent, and effective system of resources centered on serving the needs of families and young children while ensuring that children have high-quality care and early education experiences. Support a mixed delivery system of early childhood care and education services Provide input on Universal Preschool implementation and program design Inform rulemaking for Department of Early Childhood programs and funding Access to services that meet the needs of the whole child and their families Priority #2: Invest in childcare infrastructure to support and grow our economy Childcare is a critical service for economic development and growth in Colorado. We need to invest in the physical infrastructure necessary to support childcare services. Communities and employers should be incentivized and supported to innovatively design, create, and sustain early childcare and education services. Incentives for employers, developers, land/building owners, government, and other community partners to invest in childcare infrastructure and programs Expanded real estate solutions and financial resources to support the creation of childcare facilities Address regulatory barriers to the creation of new childcare capacity and businesses Priority #3: Recognize and stabilize early childhood small businesses It is critical to elevate the voices of those providing critical early childhood services and ensure that we design our systems to support and stabilize the early childhood sector through the development, design, and ongoing implementation of early childhood funds and programs. The business of early childhood is incredibly challenging in many ways, and in order to ensure a sufficient supply of early childhood services, we need policies that value and create financial stability for these small businesses. Create business supports, technical assistance resources, and incentives to ensure early childhood business owners can enter and remain in the sector Development and investment in innovative career pathway/workforce support Support and advance opportunities for early childhood business owners to participate in and inform policy Address regulatory and legal barriers to entry for the industry We appreciate and rely on your leadership and commitment to early care and education, and we welcome you to get involved so that our vision of that all children entering kindergarten will receive the skills they need to reach their full potential.
Thank you for your dedication, David Hammond! EPIC is thankful to our Chairman of the Board, David Hammond, as his tenure serving as EPIC’s board chair comes to an end this month. David has been board chair since 2019 and has been critical to the organization’s growth and development since that time. David will continue to remain engaged in EPIC and will now have more time to enjoy Colorado as an outdoor enthusiast and cyclist. EPIC will announce David’s successor in our January newsletter. Thank you for your service and impact, Susan Steele! We are incredibly happy for EPIC Board Member, Susan Steele as she enters retirement. Susan has a 30-year history with the Buell Foundation and is a founding EPIC board member. Susan’s leadership, passion, and knowledge have been instrumental in creating strong support for children and families in Colorado. We are excited to have her continued voice and advocacy for children as an EPIC member moving forward, and we wish her many great adventures in her retirement. Thank you, Susan and David, for your service and incredible contributions to EPIC and for being early childhood advocates and leaders throughout Colorado. Congratulations Governor Medal Awardee, Amy Schwartz! Since 2015, Governor Jared Polis has bestowed Citizenship Medals on leaders and organizations that inspire excellence and public service. The medals are the state’s highest honor recognizing significant contributions to communities across Colorado. EPIC founding Board and Executive member, Amy Schwartz, has received the Governor’s Growth and Innovation Award. Amy is a founder of the STEAD School, a high school created in Commerce City in 2021, focused on agricultural education through an active STEM perspective. Congratulations and Thank You, David, Susan and Amy!
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/David-Susan-and-Amy-1.jpg12271491Cassie Leyva/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngCassie Leyva2022-12-19 13:38:052025-06-12 14:27:55Thank You and Congratulations to our Biggest Advocates
EPIC has a powerful voice and is grateful to engage in opportunities to strengthen initiatives, funding, and programs for the childcare ecosystem in Colorado and promote idea generation nationally. Here are a few things we’ve been working on to bring access and quality early care and education to all children and families. Assistant Secretary Visit EPIC was honored to host a very special roundtable with Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF Administration for Children and Families), January Contreras, in August at Guild Education. EPIC members and partners had the opportunity to discuss public-private partnership efforts with the Assistant Secretary, as well as share EPIC’s work to bridge the gap between the business community and early childhood. 2022 Hunt Institute Early Childhood Leadership Summit Nicole Riehl, was invited to The Hunt Institute’s 2022 Early Childhood Leadership Summit as a panelist with Barry Ford from Council for a Strong America and Jack McBride from Contec, Inc. They discussed the business case for early childcare support and positive outcomes that come with fiscal support. The Summit is a national event, which hosts governors, lieutenant governors, legislators, and state leaders to discuss current challenges and opportunities in early childhood education, supporting childcare for infants and toddlers, building a stronger early learning workforce, and the state of the American childcare industry. EPIC was honored to participate, share the work we are doing, and learn from other experts across the country. Building Up: Childcare Insights and Opportunities for Action EPIC’s Building Up retreat brought together business leaders, community organizations, and early childcare experts and advocates to share insights and pinpoint opportunities for action. Participants helped select the most impactful elements for our exciting new tool in development, EPIC’s Childcare Map. We envision this tool as support for emerging and existing providers, along with community partners and childcare advocates. The event featured high-impact strategies to support and improve childcare access and sustainability, highlighting opportunities for increased access to capital, access to low-cost or free real estate, and strategies for operational sustainability. The event included a panel round table that included the leading industry voices of Dr. Lisa Roy, Colorado Department of Early Childhood; Dave Rogers, Government, and Public Services; Debra Locke, Second Family Childcare; Whisper Mondragon, Unique Play Place; Nim Patel, Colorado Enterprise Fund; and Jeanne McQueeney, Eagle Couty Commissioner. Finally, we looked at policy and regulatory reform opportunities to remove barriers to entry and develop key support across Colorado’s provider network. This insightful discussion will help us develop our 2023 advocacy and action plans. Thank you to our friends at Mile High United Way for hosting our Building Up retreat! EPIC in front of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation On September 27, Nicole Riehl had the opportunity to serve on a panel for childcare in the Centennial State, hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Facilitated by Sasha Caputo, Senior Coordinator of the US CCF, Nicole was joined on the panel by Anne Lance of Teaching […]
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/executive-teamwork.jpg8001166Colorado EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngColorado EPIC2022-10-31 14:46:572025-06-12 14:24:02EPIC’s Local and National Engagement
EPIC’s Design Lab 2.0 Open for Applications
/in BlogWe are thrilled to announce that the Colorado Department of Early Childhood (CDEC) has partnered with EPIC to bring back the Employer-Based Childcare Design Lab 2.0 to support employers, or community partnerships that include employers, to prepare and plan for the creation of an on-site or near-site childcare program. Starting now through August 2023, EPIC will host a series of virtual design sessions for lab participants to build knowledge and access tools to launch a childcare program, at or near their business locations. The inaugural Design Lab brought applicants from all industries and sectors, including local government, ski resorts, food industries, hospitals and school districts. This program was vital to organizations learning about topics outside of their areas of expertise and was highly beneficial to their community. Some of the employers in the Design Lab were: Steamboat Ski Resort, Community Hospital, Grand Junction, Fuel & Iron, Clear Creek School District, Weld County R-1 School District, Vail Valley Foundation, City of Aspen, Devonshire Acres and Rio Blanco County & City of Meeker. Project work continues for participants, many in rural and frontier communities. “This Design Lab helped us to show so many that said this was an impossible project that not only was it possible but would benefit our community in a multitude of ways now and in the future” Clear Creek County Representative Click here to learn more.
EPIC Board Member Adeeb Khan and Son Advocate for Universal Preschool Enrollment
/in BlogAdeeb Khan and his preschooler son, Taj Khan, advocate for enrollment in Universal Preschool.
EPIC’s 2023 Advocacy & Policy Priorities
/in BlogAs the business community’s nonpartisan voice for early childhood, EPIC leads efforts to build infrastructure and advance policies that support the workforce of today while developing the workforce of tomorrow. Our vision is powered by the business community’s leadership and commitment to early care and education, that all children entering kindergarten will have the skills they need to reach their full potential. We have outlined our 2023 priorities below: Priority #1: Support children’s development and the needs of working families Child care enables families to work, and families need access to a variety of affordable, high-quality early childhood supports and choices for their children. Colorado must strive for funding and program administration that is an aligned, user-friendly, transparent, and effective system of resources centered on serving the needs of families and young children while ensuring that children have high-quality care and early education experiences. Support a mixed delivery system of early childhood care and education services Provide input on Universal Preschool implementation and program design Inform rulemaking for Department of Early Childhood programs and funding Access to services that meet the needs of the whole child and their families Priority #2: Invest in childcare infrastructure to support and grow our economy Childcare is a critical service for economic development and growth in Colorado. We need to invest in the physical infrastructure necessary to support childcare services. Communities and employers should be incentivized and supported to innovatively design, create, and sustain early childcare and education services. Incentives for employers, developers, land/building owners, government, and other community partners to invest in childcare infrastructure and programs Expanded real estate solutions and financial resources to support the creation of childcare facilities Address regulatory barriers to the creation of new childcare capacity and businesses Priority #3: Recognize and stabilize early childhood small businesses It is critical to elevate the voices of those providing critical early childhood services and ensure that we design our systems to support and stabilize the early childhood sector through the development, design, and ongoing implementation of early childhood funds and programs. The business of early childhood is incredibly challenging in many ways, and in order to ensure a sufficient supply of early childhood services, we need policies that value and create financial stability for these small businesses. Create business supports, technical assistance resources, and incentives to ensure early childhood business owners can enter and remain in the sector Development and investment in innovative career pathway/workforce support Support and advance opportunities for early childhood business owners to participate in and inform policy Address regulatory and legal barriers to entry for the industry We appreciate and rely on your leadership and commitment to early care and education, and we welcome you to get involved so that our vision of that all children entering kindergarten will receive the skills they need to reach their full potential.
Thank You and Congratulations to our Biggest Advocates
/in BlogThank you for your dedication, David Hammond! EPIC is thankful to our Chairman of the Board, David Hammond, as his tenure serving as EPIC’s board chair comes to an end this month. David has been board chair since 2019 and has been critical to the organization’s growth and development since that time. David will continue to remain engaged in EPIC and will now have more time to enjoy Colorado as an outdoor enthusiast and cyclist. EPIC will announce David’s successor in our January newsletter. Thank you for your service and impact, Susan Steele! We are incredibly happy for EPIC Board Member, Susan Steele as she enters retirement. Susan has a 30-year history with the Buell Foundation and is a founding EPIC board member. Susan’s leadership, passion, and knowledge have been instrumental in creating strong support for children and families in Colorado. We are excited to have her continued voice and advocacy for children as an EPIC member moving forward, and we wish her many great adventures in her retirement. Thank you, Susan and David, for your service and incredible contributions to EPIC and for being early childhood advocates and leaders throughout Colorado. Congratulations Governor Medal Awardee, Amy Schwartz! Since 2015, Governor Jared Polis has bestowed Citizenship Medals on leaders and organizations that inspire excellence and public service. The medals are the state’s highest honor recognizing significant contributions to communities across Colorado. EPIC founding Board and Executive member, Amy Schwartz, has received the Governor’s Growth and Innovation Award. Amy is a founder of the STEAD School, a high school created in Commerce City in 2021, focused on agricultural education through an active STEM perspective. Congratulations and Thank You, David, Susan and Amy!
EPIC’s Local and National Engagement
/in BlogEPIC has a powerful voice and is grateful to engage in opportunities to strengthen initiatives, funding, and programs for the childcare ecosystem in Colorado and promote idea generation nationally. Here are a few things we’ve been working on to bring access and quality early care and education to all children and families. Assistant Secretary Visit EPIC was honored to host a very special roundtable with Assistant Secretary of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF Administration for Children and Families), January Contreras, in August at Guild Education. EPIC members and partners had the opportunity to discuss public-private partnership efforts with the Assistant Secretary, as well as share EPIC’s work to bridge the gap between the business community and early childhood. 2022 Hunt Institute Early Childhood Leadership Summit Nicole Riehl, was invited to The Hunt Institute’s 2022 Early Childhood Leadership Summit as a panelist with Barry Ford from Council for a Strong America and Jack McBride from Contec, Inc. They discussed the business case for early childcare support and positive outcomes that come with fiscal support. The Summit is a national event, which hosts governors, lieutenant governors, legislators, and state leaders to discuss current challenges and opportunities in early childhood education, supporting childcare for infants and toddlers, building a stronger early learning workforce, and the state of the American childcare industry. EPIC was honored to participate, share the work we are doing, and learn from other experts across the country. Building Up: Childcare Insights and Opportunities for Action EPIC’s Building Up retreat brought together business leaders, community organizations, and early childcare experts and advocates to share insights and pinpoint opportunities for action. Participants helped select the most impactful elements for our exciting new tool in development, EPIC’s Childcare Map. We envision this tool as support for emerging and existing providers, along with community partners and childcare advocates. The event featured high-impact strategies to support and improve childcare access and sustainability, highlighting opportunities for increased access to capital, access to low-cost or free real estate, and strategies for operational sustainability. The event included a panel round table that included the leading industry voices of Dr. Lisa Roy, Colorado Department of Early Childhood; Dave Rogers, Government, and Public Services; Debra Locke, Second Family Childcare; Whisper Mondragon, Unique Play Place; Nim Patel, Colorado Enterprise Fund; and Jeanne McQueeney, Eagle Couty Commissioner. Finally, we looked at policy and regulatory reform opportunities to remove barriers to entry and develop key support across Colorado’s provider network. This insightful discussion will help us develop our 2023 advocacy and action plans. Thank you to our friends at Mile High United Way for hosting our Building Up retreat! EPIC in front of the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation On September 27, Nicole Riehl had the opportunity to serve on a panel for childcare in the Centennial State, hosted by the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation. Facilitated by Sasha Caputo, Senior Coordinator of the US CCF, Nicole was joined on the panel by Anne Lance of Teaching […]