High quality, affordable and accessible child care services have a significant impact on the economic growth and competitiveness of our businesses and our country.
Currently, two-thirds of children aged 5 and under live in homes where both parents work, but the number of affordable childcare spaces has declined. In Oregon, there are three children for every child care space in the state. This lack of available care has a significant negative impact on the state’s workforce.
In response to this immediate and long-term need, in partnership with Early Learning Hub of Central Oregon, NeighborImpact Child Care Resources has launched a toolkit designed to help employers support child care for their workers.
When companies provide child care, employee absences decrease by up to 30% and job turnover decreases by up to 60%.
American companies lose $3 billion a year due to employee absenteeism related to childcare, and 83% of millennials say they would quit their job for a job with more family-friendly benefits.
Family-friendly policies increase recruitment and retention; reduce absenteeism, increase productivity and save the employer money. High-quality child care services support today’s workforce (parents and guardians), while creating a strong foundation needed for future workforce success (children).
The NeighborImpact Toolkit, funded by Early Learning Hub of Central Oregon, provides resources to enable the business community to advance access to affordable, high-quality child care to support employees and community at large. It includes case studies, information on different types of support companies may be able to offer, a checklist for employers and other useful resources.
Check out the toolkit on the NeighborImpact website at www.neighborimpact.org/employer-supported-child-care/
About NeighborImpact: NeighborImpact is a private, non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors made up of representatives from across the community. Since 1985, NeighborImpact has led the region in developing solutions and providing resources to Crook, Deschutes and Jefferson counties and the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs. We help meet the basic needs of Central Oregonians, build economic security, and create a community where everyone thrives. NeighborImpact receives federal, state, and local grants, foundation grants, and donations from individuals and businesses in our community. To learn more about NeighborImpact, please visit www.neighborimpact.org.
