Educators. Parents. Kids.
Combatting Dropout
10
In 2011, CPT12 focused on stronger community engagement. The station has always focused on local issues through its public affairs programming and traditional outreach activities. 2011 also included strong, two-way community engagement as CPT12 played a key role in specific community challenges – developing partnerships, creating content to foster awareness, and driving our audience to the solutions and organizations who are working to help. Through the generous support of a grant from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), Colorado Public Television became the hub of engagement around the high school dropout crisis for the state of Colorado. As part of the “American Graduate” coalition, CPT12 worked with public radio station KUVO and other key non-profit and for-profit organizations around the state. Together, CPT12 and its partners have worked to inform our community about the risks and costs of dropping out of high school, as well as resources available to kids – particularly for young Gay, Lesbian,
Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ) people.
Reach in the Community: CPT12 fostered awareness of this issue through a series of public service announcements, community meetings, and interactive social media. Additionally, an hour-long special, American Graduate: Let’s Make it Happen, featured expert panelists as well as statewide resources for affected and concerned citizens. CPT12, along with our partners, reached thousands of Colorado families with our messaging, raising awareness of the state’s dropout crisis and driving people to take action. At least 75 families reached out for help directly through Colorado 2-1-1, and 675 people sought information online. Together we helped Coloradans understand the issues in a personal way. When we look back at the work and results we achieved in 2011, “American Graduate“ is a shining star for our reporting. We can now point to another significant, in-depth program that has led to quantifiable results in the community.