Nuts and Bolts Process of Assembling a State Early Childhood Business Roundtable Colorado’s Recent Process and Success Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference

Identify the Need Colorado attracts businesses due to its educated workforce Colorado has one of the lowest high school graduation rates Colorado ranks low (35 out of 50 or worse) in healthy beginnings and children Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference

A Starting Point - Early Childhood Pilots/Councils Colorado’s Early Childhood Councils – Authorizing legislation called on the Councils “To develop and ultimately implement a comprehensive system of early childhood services to ensure the school readiness of children five years of age or younger.” (HB ) – 17 pilot programs created in 2002 – 31 councils formalized in 2007 The Early Childhood Councils program is funded by Child Care Development Block Grant/Child Care Development Funds; administered at the state level by Department of Human Services and Department of Education. Colorado’s legislation does not specify legal structure; Councils operate under the legal structure of a fiscal agent or whether to become their own, independent non-profit organizations. Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference

Recognize the Existing Players – But Don’t Get Distracted CO Strong set of nonprofits and foundations working in early childhood sector – United Way, Qualistar (quality improvement/resource and referral) – Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation, Merage Foundation – Many more Lots of coalition, work groups etc., - all nonprofit or government based Progressive Executive and Legislative branches Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference

Finding the Business Partner Colorado Forum, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, manufacture groups, etc. Colorado Concern – 100 top Colorado CEO’s Colorado Concern members poll consistently with education as their priority issue – March 2009 Colorado Concern ED, nonprofits and foundations meet to assess opportunity to work on education issues – April 2009 Colorado Concern ED met with Mile High United Way Chair (a member of Colorado Concern) to discuss collaborations. Mile High United Way CEO joins Colorado Concern. – August 2009 Colorado Concern ED meets Sara Watson/Paul Major to assess Colorado’s interest in pursuing a statewide business leader engagement. A business leaders kick-off event is planned for October 2009 and is underwritten by PAES and facilitated by the Telluride Foundation Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference

Find & Leverage Opportunities (Telluride Summit, CO Business Summit, Race to the Top) Colorado Concern ED, along with business leaders and early childhood advocates from across the state, participates in the Telluride Economic Summit on Early Childhood Investment PAES grant with CC, Telluride Foundation, Merage Foundation and Mile High United Way hosted a business leader’s luncheon to begin engaging CC members. Speakers include Michael Eskew, former CEO/Chair UPS, CO Lieutenant Governor, CO Director Office of Economic Director; 18 top business leaders act as table hosts; 125 top executives attend Follow-Up – Colorado Concern joined “BizCares” as a founding member, which is an organization established to emphasize the importance of the continuum of education in Colorado and serves a critical role in the Race to the Top application – CC Chairman hosted a dinner for luncheon table hosts asking for commitment to start a business leaders roundtable. Merage offers matching grant of $50,000 for three years; CBS Outdoors CEO commits $250,000 in VIK billboard space. Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference

Get the Right People on the Bus - Business Roundtable Formation January 2010 “Executives Partnering to Invest in Children” (EPIC) was informally launched, an Executive Committee consisting of six convening; process of identifying leaders to serve on EPIC’s CEO Roundtable began. Formal discussions began with PAES regarding funding for EPIC. EPIC’s convening organizations attend the Kellogg Foundation’s National Conference on Early Childhood Policy; participants began to develop a strategic plan for Colorado’s public policy agenda on early childhood investments. EPIC’s program director hired to oversee the day to day management of the organization, direct the activities of the Executive Committee comprised of the heads of the six convening organizations, as well as oversee the CEO Roundtable. Grant was submitted to PAES. CO Governor Ritter signed Executive Order forming the ECAC in order to secure federal funding from the Early Learning Challenge Grant. Representatives from EPIC were appointed to this board. Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference

Lessons Learned Tie state early childhood need to economic development Strategically find a champion within the business community – not the usual suspect Pick the right business group partner Build the broadest, yet effective coalition Hire staff immediately Keep the objective clearly out front Move quickly and decisively Partnership for America’s Economic Success 2010 National Conference