As you can imagine, as an organization that works to strengthen families, organizations and communities to prevent child maltreatment, we are beginning to face many difficult decisions. Based on information we have reviewed, including the close monitoring of local and national health reports and directives regarding COVID-19 (coronavirus) and inconsideration of the many school closures that have impacted our employees and community partners daily lives, we have adjustments to reflect the ongoing support and health for our employees and the communities we serve. Including:

• Cancelling or postponing all in person events through the end of March. We will be focused on a digital first experience at Illuminate Colorado. Our office is not closed, but Illuminate employees are working virtually as much as possible through March 27 at which time it will be determined if there is the need for an extension of this general practice. During this period of time, staff will be answering phone calls and emails. Please call the main phone line at (303) 413-3460 if you need assistance or visit a staff directory. 
• Ramping up digital training and education starting next week. Our goal is to help share more tips, training, and education on how you can leverage social during this challenging time to raise awareness for the prevention of child maltreatment and strengthen families. Illuminate Colorado cares about your community – help us stop the spread of COVID-19 while continuing to spread awareness for the prevention of child maltreatment during this time.
• Launching a new community on Facebook to provide a space for parents and caregivers to connect to one another during this stressful time. We recognize that the added stress of the spread of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in Colorado, the closure of schools and child care services and social distancing places children and families at greater risk for toxic stress and child maltreatment. We also know that social connections are critical in the prevention of child maltreatment. This added communication platform will be a place for you to connect with Illuminate Colorado employees as well as other parents and experts statewide. 

The health and safety of our staff and the communities that we serve are our top priority and this decision to postpone meetings was not made lightly, but out of an overabundance of caution. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and make decisions about events and meetings in April in the next few weeks and update you accordingly. We also encourage the community to continue hand washing and follow other recommendations from the CDC about how to avoid the spread of illness and visit Colorado’s COVID-19 website for more information.

Behind the scenes, we will continue to operate to ensure that we return to business as usual as soon as it is safe to do so. We appreciate your support and understanding during these difficult times. For the latest information, please continue to check our blog at www.IlluminateColorado.org/news