\nIMPACT 2024 will help us find solutions to our community&rsquo\;s childcare challenges. Ann Arbor SPARK will preface our morning with a big picture view of the problem and its work to address it \;with the Livingston-Washtenaw Counties Childcare Coalition. We will engage with practical resources and solutions already at hand\, hear more about possible \;solutions to emulate from Kent County\, and learn about EPIC\, an aspirational model our guests are putting to work in Colorado. By lunch we will be better equipped to achieve individual and collective success.
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\nThe Washtenaw Landscape: Why Childcare Matters
\nIMPACT will commence with SPARK&rsquo\;s Phil Santer\, with an overview of the current childcare landscape and what solutions the Livingston and Washtenaw Counties Childcare Coalition proposes. This group of local childcare providers\, families\, policymakers\, and businesses developed possible solutions to address the issue of childcare from an economic development perspective.
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\nChildcare Stories\, Strategies\, and Solutions
\nOur panel will provide their perspectives on running a childcare business\, policy tools available to communities\, and meeting individual organizational needs through Tri-Share and childcare connections.

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\nEtta King Heisler\, Executive Director of Apple Playschools
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\nAnnette Sobocinski\, Executive Director of Child Care Network
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\nPeter Lindeman\, Senior Consultant at Public Sector Consultants\n\n

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\nEngagement Sessions
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\nMichigan Success: The Kent County Model
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\nJennifer Headley-Nordman\, President of First Steps Kent\, will tell us how First Steps works with parents\, service providers\, funders\, advocates\, and other stakeholders to build a comprehensive early childhood system in Kent County. Jennifer will give perspective on Kent&rsquo\;s recently renewed Ready by Five Early Childhood Millage\, how the community worked to create it\, and what lies ahead in implementation.
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\nNicole Riehl\, \;President and CEO\, \;EPIC Colorado
\nExecutives partnering to invest in Children
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\nSteph Itelman\, \;Chief Impact Officer\, \;EPIC Colorado
\nExecutives partnering to invest in Children
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\nColorado&rsquo\;s EPIC Childcare Answers
\nIMPACT will culminate with special guests from Colorado\, Steph Itelman and Nicole Riehl. Executives Partnering to Invest in Children (EPIC) is putting the Colorado Model to work by helping employers attract and retain the best workforce while supporting environments that enable families and children to thrive. One of the biggest challenges identified by employers in our region is clarification of the role they can&mdash\;or even should&mdash\;play in childcare solutions\, and EPIC has a track record of addressing this concern and developing solutions for diverse workforces. Data shows employers can return up to $4.00 or more for every dollar they invest in childcare solutions due to increased recruitment and retention. EPIC is expanding nationwide and will share their Colorado Model as well as a wider perspective on how a region can address this issue.
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\nYazeed Moore\, Director of Michigan Programs with the \;W.K. Kellogg Foundation
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\nWe are excited that both of our engagement sessions and their question-and-answer periods will be moderated by Yazeed Moore\, Director of Michigan Programs with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.
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\nTo be a sponsor of this event\, please click here \;for detailed information on sponsorship opportunities\, or contact Rosalind@a2ychamber.org for more information. \; \; \;