So Long and Welcome!
Tom Copeland
It’s time for me to say so long and introduce the new organization that will be taking over the management and expansion of this blog.
I started this blog in September 2010 with the intention to create a resource library to help family child care providers be more successful as a business. Since then, I’ve posted over 1,600 articles that have reached hundreds of thousands of providers and organizations that serve them.
I’ve greatly enjoyed writing these articles and responding to tens of thousands of questions from providers over the phone, Facebook and email over the years. But it’s time for me to step down and retire. Thanks to all the family child care providers I've met along the way. I hope my work has helped make your business a little more successful.
This blog and all the articles and resources will continue to remain available to providers. Nothing will be lost. I’m pleased to announce that the future of the blog will be taken over by Gary Romano, President & CEO of Civitas Strategies, LLC and his team. I’ve known Gary for several years and worked with him on several projects. He helped me better understand the Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL) so I could encourage providers to apply for these programs. In addition, Gary was helpful to me in getting the word out about the Child Care Stabilization Grants.
Gary will ensure that my blog articles will continue to be made freely available to everyone. His team will be adding new content to the blog and expand its reach. In addition, they will answer your questions via phone, email and on Facebook. I’m very excited that Gary and his team has agreed to take on this work that I began. I look forward to the new resources they will be making available to the early childhood field.
Gary Romano and Civitas Strategies, LLC
Our team at Civitas Strategies has a deep understanding of child care businesses and a passion for helping owners be confident and successful. We’ve worked with thousands of providers across the country to help reduce costs, increase revenue, and mitigate risks to their businesses. Our goal is to make every engagement personal, easy-to-understand, actionable, and relevant—a goal that we’ll be bringing to this blog, as well, as we look forward to continuing to answer any questions you may have on this blog, on Facebook, or by phone or email, just as Tom did in the past.
Throughout all our work with providers, one thing has been abundantly clear—the value of Tom Copeland’s Taking Care of Business Blog. It has been a source of knowledge, wisdom, comfort, and empowerment to providers, and we are honored to have a chance to extend Tom’s legacy and impact for the field.
Moving forward, you’ll see content from several members of our team, including myself, as well as our Principal Alison LaRocca, Senior Manager Kelly Turner, and Senior Consultant LaToshia DeVose. Together, we have almost 50 years of experience working in various capacities with mission-driven organizations including child care businesses. Since the start of the pandemic in 2020, we have focused on helping child care businesses survive and thrive through our Early Start initiative. We’re excited to share what we’ve learned with all of you.
Both the blog and the Facebook page will look a little bit different going forward, as you will see Civitas Strategies branding across both sites. But what will remain the same is the high-quality content as our team will continue to provide expert child care business advice. Stay tuned over the next weeks and months to learn more!
