Please join us on Tuesday, February 27th from 1:00pm to 2:00pm in the Hondius Room of the Estes Valley Library for a presentation and discussion concerning the Estes Valley Childcare Needs Assessment Report. Estes Park EDC retained BBC Research of Denver to complete this study of childcare needs, and to make strategic recommendations for improving both access and the quality of childcare services.
Developing an implementation plan for the recommendations will be an important next step. “Quality child care is at the root of our young workforce families’ difficulties living here, said committee Vice-Chair Charley Dickey. “I am excited about creating a solution that will allow the younger generations to live, work and play here in Estes Park.”With the newly released Childcare Needs Assessment Report, the Estes Park EDC Childcare Services Committee plans for two focus areas over the coming months. “The first will be a short term 90-day agenda of contacting each major government sponsored childcare initiative in Colorado to understand what they are doing, how they are funding their efforts and what success they are having,” said Committee Chair Mike Moon. He began that effort recently in Breckenridge, along with Town Assistant Administrator Travis Machalek and Jon Nicholas, President of Estes Park EDC.
“Second, we are also undertaking a small group outreach program to reach as many residents as possible prior to the summer business season and have active open conversations on why childcare is so important, what the Needs Assessment tells us and what barriers we see to solutions,” said Moon.
Estes Valley Investing in Childhood Success (EVICS) served as the fiscal sponsor of the project, with staff and board members participating in the Committee’s efforts as well. The Childcare Needs Assessment project was made possible by the financial support of its sponsors, and Estes Park EDC thanks all of following community organizations:
Estes Park EDC Visit Estes Park
Estes Park Housing Authority YMCA of the Rockies
Estes Valley R-3 School District Estes Valley Partners for Commerce
Estes Valley Recreation and Park District Estes Area Lodging Association
EVICS Estes Valley Library District
The Town of Estes Park Families for Estes
“Estes Park EDC especially thanks the Childcare Services Committee members for their persistence, hard work and thoughtfulness in pursuing the first Childcare Needs Assessment for the Estes Valley,” said Nicholas. Committee members for the Needs Assessment process were:
Michael G. Moon, Chair Ex Officio participants:
Charley Dickey, Vice-Chair Nancy Almond
Jose Almeida Jon Nicholas
Kristen Berg James H. Pickering
John Bryant Adam Shake
Courtney Hill
Travis Machalek
Tim McLemore
Judy Nystrom
After its release, the final report will be posted to the webpage http://www.estesparkedc.com/childcare-services-news/ on February 23.