Over the last months, parents and children have started returning to the office and in-person learning. For some families, it’s been a year or more since they had face-to-face interaction inside a school or an office. For many of Colorado’s children who are furthest from opportunity, it’s also been over a year of limited access to books and literacy-rich environments. Critical brain development occurs during a child’s earliest years, and it is crucial that children have access to books, reading experiences, and other literacy activities. That’s why EPIC was proud to work with the Colorado Rockies and local UPS Stores to raise awareness on the importance of early literacy while collecting books and donations that will be distributed to early literacy partners in the Colorado Community. Even as the COVID Delta variant continues to leave a great deal of uncertainty within Colorado communities, local UPS Store business owners across the state know there are children in need of books and opportunities to build their early literacy skills. During the month of September, customers visited UPS Store to drop off book or financial donations in exchange for Rockies tickets. Then, on September 26th, EPIC gathered with local UPS store volunteers, volunteer Marines and the Colorado Rockies, to culminate the book drive by collecting over $4,000 dollars to support early literacy in Colorado!! A big shout out to the volunteer Marines who donated their time for this cause and to the local UPS store owners. When children have access to books and literacy supports, they can become successful readers and grow to contribute to our communities in the future. Since 2013, Colorado Business Reads, an EPIC initiative to increase awareness on the importance of early literacy, has led a statewide initiative to work with the business community to put books in the hands of Colorado’s early readers. EPIC business leaders and their organizations, including the Colorado Rockies and The UPS Store, have been instrumental in supporting Colorado Business Reads that enable children to develop a love of reading in their most formative years. As an EPIC member, you can help provide early literacy resources to children in need while supporting local communities and employee engagement opportunities. By getting involved, volunteering, and donating books, more kids can develop crucial reading skills. Become a member and learn more about EPIC’s partnerships with Reach Out and Read Colorado and Book Trust. You can also learn more and donate to Book Trust or Reach Out and Read Colorado.
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Marine-with-Book-scaled.jpg25601920Colorado EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngColorado EPIC2021-09-30 10:11:502025-06-12 14:26:12Back to Work, Back to School and Book Drive!
For the first time ever, most working families will receive the Child Tax Credit directly deposited into their accounts starting July 15, 2021. This will substantially offset child care costs for millions of Americans. Many important changes were made to help families receive multiple, smaller advance payments of the Child care Tax Credit this summer, and it may directly benefit employees or co-workers at your workplace. Read on to know how to help, and pass along this crucial information. As leaders in our communities, we have a responsibility and an economic incentive to ensure we share information to help families with early childhood expenses. The increased tax credit will directly help families to afford basic needs including child care payments, and further, improve the workforce by allowing parents to participate in the paid workforce while their children have access to quality early learning experiences. Who can apply? Families will qualify for a full credit of $300 per month for children ages 0 to 5 or $250 per month for children ages 6 to 17 dependent on separate or joint income levels. To qualify, their income must be below $75,000 for single filers, $112,000 for people filing as head of household, or $150,000 for people who are married and filing jointly. The first check from the IRS will be sent out July 15, and these benefits will continue through December 2021. Families will receive the remaining $1,500 to $1,800 per child that they are eligible for when they file their 2021 taxes. Where can people learn more? The IRS has created an online calculator along with other online tools to check if individuals qualify this year. The calculator automatically determines eligibility and issue advance payments based on the information individuals provide. After the IRS determines eligibility, the advanced payments will be received automatically on the 15th of every month through December. Why is this important? When employees can afford child care and basic needs, workplace and workforce readiness and success increase. This expansion is estimated to cut child poverty in nearly half nationwide this year and benefit almost 90% of Colorado children. What do you need to do? Do your part to share this information with human resources departments or with employees so they can access the IRS website to see if they qualify. It’s because of community leaders such as yourself that EPIC is able to provide this valuable content for Colorado employees. Do you know a community leader who would benefit from this information? Send them our way.
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Blog-scaled.jpg17072560Colorado EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngColorado EPIC2021-07-16 11:45:212025-06-12 14:26:00Do your Employees Qualify for the Child Care Tax Credit?
EPIC and its members began this legislative session with a mission to support our economic recovery and workforce by prioritizing families and children. The early child care and education industry has suffered greatly since the start of the pandemic, with enrollment fluctuations and other financial stressors leading to permanent closures of several hundred child care businesses and significant losses of desperately needed child care slots. At the same time, labor reports and studies revealed the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on working mothers and people of color, and access to affordable and quality child care became one more hurdle for workers to overcome while our economy lost decades of progress in workforce participation. With these significant challenges and opportunities in mind, EPIC brought the business community’s unique perspective to the table and teamed up with early childhood advocates, legislators, state staff, and lobbyists to develop and successfully pass the following bills: HB 21-1222 (Rep. A. Valdez | Rep. K. Van Winkle | Sen J. Smallwood | Sen F. Winter) Regulation of Family Child Care Homes: Aligns local governing authority regulations to reduce barriers to entry and expand opportunities to access child care in family child care homes. The bill requires that family child care homes be classified as residences for purposes of licensure and local regulations, including zoning, land use development, fire and life safety, and building codes. Passed with unanimous votes in both chambers! HB21-1274 (Rep. B. Titone | Rep. R. Zenzinger | Sen. D. Hisey) Unused State-owned Real Property Beneficial Use: Directs the Department of Personnel to inventory unused State-owned property and use such property to promote affordable housing, child care, public schools, residential mental and behavioral health care, and renewable energy development. SB21-236 (Sen. T. Story | Sen J. Sonnenberg | Rep. K. Tipper | Rep. T. Van Beber) Increase Capacity Early Childhood Care & Education: Creates 4 new grant programs to increase capacity for early childhood care and education, improve recruitment and retention rates for early childhood educators (educators), and improve salaries for educators. The bill includes an $8.8 million employer-based child care facilities grant program, which EPIC will be sharing more information on within the next several months. Passed with unanimous votes in the Senate and strong bipartisan support in the House! HB21-1304 (Rep. E. Sirota | Rep. A. Garnett | Sen. S. Fenberg | Sen. J. Buckner) Early Childhood System: Creates a new Department of Early Childhood in Colorado in order to unify and streamline early childhood programs, services, and requirements for the benefit of families and child care business owners/operators. Also sets a transition process in motion that will begin the implementation of universal preschool and ensures parents have access to a “mixed delivery” system of school-based and community-based preschool programs that meet their needs. Business community representatives are invited to serve on the transition advisory team and can indicate their interest by completing this form. Passed with unanimous votes in the Senate and bipartisan support in the House! Many thanks to the […]
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/shutterstock_152978891-1.jpg408612Colorado EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngColorado EPIC2021-06-21 13:04:552025-06-12 14:25:58EPIC Applauds the Passage of Legislation to Help Early Childhood Education
“I strongly support investing in child care. This is a vital course correction after decades of underinvestment,” wrote EPIC Founding Member, David Merage.
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/EED_032.jpg13502025Colorado EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngColorado EPIC2021-05-24 10:56:082025-06-12 14:25:57Opinion Founding Member David Merage: Biden’s plan for child care doesn’t go far enough
Re-cap of Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), joined Kristen Blessman, President and CEO of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and Kristin Strohm, President and CEO of Common Sense Institute, as they discuss the impacts of the ‘She-Cession’ in Colorado and how to get working moms back to work. Saja Hindi, reporter for the Denver Post, was the emcee and moderated the panel.
https://www.epicimpact.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Blog-pic-she-cession.png788940Colorado EPIC/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/epic-logo-sm.pngColorado EPIC2021-05-12 12:46:092025-06-12 14:25:54Recap of the She-Cession in Colorado: Supporting Working Moms Webinar
Back to Work, Back to School and Book Drive!
/in BlogOver the last months, parents and children have started returning to the office and in-person learning. For some families, it’s been a year or more since they had face-to-face interaction inside a school or an office. For many of Colorado’s children who are furthest from opportunity, it’s also been over a year of limited access to books and literacy-rich environments. Critical brain development occurs during a child’s earliest years, and it is crucial that children have access to books, reading experiences, and other literacy activities. That’s why EPIC was proud to work with the Colorado Rockies and local UPS Stores to raise awareness on the importance of early literacy while collecting books and donations that will be distributed to early literacy partners in the Colorado Community. Even as the COVID Delta variant continues to leave a great deal of uncertainty within Colorado communities, local UPS Store business owners across the state know there are children in need of books and opportunities to build their early literacy skills. During the month of September, customers visited UPS Store to drop off book or financial donations in exchange for Rockies tickets. Then, on September 26th, EPIC gathered with local UPS store volunteers, volunteer Marines and the Colorado Rockies, to culminate the book drive by collecting over $4,000 dollars to support early literacy in Colorado!! A big shout out to the volunteer Marines who donated their time for this cause and to the local UPS store owners. When children have access to books and literacy supports, they can become successful readers and grow to contribute to our communities in the future. Since 2013, Colorado Business Reads, an EPIC initiative to increase awareness on the importance of early literacy, has led a statewide initiative to work with the business community to put books in the hands of Colorado’s early readers. EPIC business leaders and their organizations, including the Colorado Rockies and The UPS Store, have been instrumental in supporting Colorado Business Reads that enable children to develop a love of reading in their most formative years. As an EPIC member, you can help provide early literacy resources to children in need while supporting local communities and employee engagement opportunities. By getting involved, volunteering, and donating books, more kids can develop crucial reading skills. Become a member and learn more about EPIC’s partnerships with Reach Out and Read Colorado and Book Trust. You can also learn more and donate to Book Trust or Reach Out and Read Colorado.
Do your Employees Qualify for the Child Care Tax Credit?
/in BlogFor the first time ever, most working families will receive the Child Tax Credit directly deposited into their accounts starting July 15, 2021. This will substantially offset child care costs for millions of Americans. Many important changes were made to help families receive multiple, smaller advance payments of the Child care Tax Credit this summer, and it may directly benefit employees or co-workers at your workplace. Read on to know how to help, and pass along this crucial information. As leaders in our communities, we have a responsibility and an economic incentive to ensure we share information to help families with early childhood expenses. The increased tax credit will directly help families to afford basic needs including child care payments, and further, improve the workforce by allowing parents to participate in the paid workforce while their children have access to quality early learning experiences. Who can apply? Families will qualify for a full credit of $300 per month for children ages 0 to 5 or $250 per month for children ages 6 to 17 dependent on separate or joint income levels. To qualify, their income must be below $75,000 for single filers, $112,000 for people filing as head of household, or $150,000 for people who are married and filing jointly. The first check from the IRS will be sent out July 15, and these benefits will continue through December 2021. Families will receive the remaining $1,500 to $1,800 per child that they are eligible for when they file their 2021 taxes. Where can people learn more? The IRS has created an online calculator along with other online tools to check if individuals qualify this year. The calculator automatically determines eligibility and issue advance payments based on the information individuals provide. After the IRS determines eligibility, the advanced payments will be received automatically on the 15th of every month through December. Why is this important? When employees can afford child care and basic needs, workplace and workforce readiness and success increase. This expansion is estimated to cut child poverty in nearly half nationwide this year and benefit almost 90% of Colorado children. What do you need to do? Do your part to share this information with human resources departments or with employees so they can access the IRS website to see if they qualify. It’s because of community leaders such as yourself that EPIC is able to provide this valuable content for Colorado employees. Do you know a community leader who would benefit from this information? Send them our way.
EPIC Applauds the Passage of Legislation to Help Early Childhood Education
/in BlogEPIC and its members began this legislative session with a mission to support our economic recovery and workforce by prioritizing families and children. The early child care and education industry has suffered greatly since the start of the pandemic, with enrollment fluctuations and other financial stressors leading to permanent closures of several hundred child care businesses and significant losses of desperately needed child care slots. At the same time, labor reports and studies revealed the disproportionate impact of the pandemic on working mothers and people of color, and access to affordable and quality child care became one more hurdle for workers to overcome while our economy lost decades of progress in workforce participation. With these significant challenges and opportunities in mind, EPIC brought the business community’s unique perspective to the table and teamed up with early childhood advocates, legislators, state staff, and lobbyists to develop and successfully pass the following bills: HB 21-1222 (Rep. A. Valdez | Rep. K. Van Winkle | Sen J. Smallwood | Sen F. Winter) Regulation of Family Child Care Homes: Aligns local governing authority regulations to reduce barriers to entry and expand opportunities to access child care in family child care homes. The bill requires that family child care homes be classified as residences for purposes of licensure and local regulations, including zoning, land use development, fire and life safety, and building codes. Passed with unanimous votes in both chambers! HB21-1274 (Rep. B. Titone | Rep. R. Zenzinger | Sen. D. Hisey) Unused State-owned Real Property Beneficial Use: Directs the Department of Personnel to inventory unused State-owned property and use such property to promote affordable housing, child care, public schools, residential mental and behavioral health care, and renewable energy development. SB21-236 (Sen. T. Story | Sen J. Sonnenberg | Rep. K. Tipper | Rep. T. Van Beber) Increase Capacity Early Childhood Care & Education: Creates 4 new grant programs to increase capacity for early childhood care and education, improve recruitment and retention rates for early childhood educators (educators), and improve salaries for educators. The bill includes an $8.8 million employer-based child care facilities grant program, which EPIC will be sharing more information on within the next several months. Passed with unanimous votes in the Senate and strong bipartisan support in the House! HB21-1304 (Rep. E. Sirota | Rep. A. Garnett | Sen. S. Fenberg | Sen. J. Buckner) Early Childhood System: Creates a new Department of Early Childhood in Colorado in order to unify and streamline early childhood programs, services, and requirements for the benefit of families and child care business owners/operators. Also sets a transition process in motion that will begin the implementation of universal preschool and ensures parents have access to a “mixed delivery” system of school-based and community-based preschool programs that meet their needs. Business community representatives are invited to serve on the transition advisory team and can indicate their interest by completing this form. Passed with unanimous votes in the Senate and bipartisan support in the House! Many thanks to the […]
Opinion Founding Member David Merage: Biden’s plan for child care doesn’t go far enough
/in Blog“I strongly support investing in child care. This is a vital course correction after decades of underinvestment,” wrote EPIC Founding Member, David Merage.
Recap of the She-Cession in Colorado: Supporting Working Moms Webinar
/in BlogRe-cap of Nicole Riehl, President and CEO of Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC), joined Kristen Blessman, President and CEO of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and Kristin Strohm, President and CEO of Common Sense Institute, as they discuss the impacts of the ‘She-Cession’ in Colorado and how to get working moms back to work. Saja Hindi, reporter for the Denver Post, was the emcee and moderated the panel.