TITLE
Title
FAMILY FORWARD INITIATIVE: ACCREDITATION PROCESS
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SPONSOR
Sponsor
Commissioner Carly Cooke
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BACKGROUND
Background
The Future Ready Greensboro campaign is a partnership between Action Greensboro and the NC Early Childhood Foundation through its Family Forward NC initiative*. Together, we are launching a campaign to increase the number of greater Greensboro employers providing family-friendly workplace benefits.
In 2023, Action Greensboro commissioned the inaugural Talent & Workplace Survey <https://issuu.com/gsochamber/docs/talent_and_workplace_survey_report_-_spreads?fr=sMDhkZjE3NDg3>Guilford County Talent & Workplace Survey <https://issuu.com/gsochamber/docs/talent_and_workplace_survey_report_-_spreads?fr=sMDhkZjE3NDg3>. The comprehensive survey gathered responses from over 600 Guilford County organizations on factors such as talent and recruitment. In addition to other key findings, the Talent & Workplace Survey reported that only seven percent of survey participants provided family-friendly workplace benefits. These benefits included wellness rooms, paid parental leave, childcare benefits, on-site childcare, family/elder care and flex-time.
With this opportunity gap, we are working to increase the number of greater Greensboro employers who are designated as offering policies and practices that support the health and well-being of working families and children. Family friendly workplace policies also improve recruitment, retention, workplace productivity and job satisfaction. We have a bold goal to ensure 85,000 employees in Greater Greensboro working for Family Forward NC Certified Employers by 2025.
This is one of the only certifications in the country exclusively for family friendly workplaces.
*Family Forward NC™ is an innovative initiative to improve children’s health and well-being and keep North Carolina’s businesses and workplaces competitive. It is employer-led change to increase access to research-based, family-friendly practices-big and small-that improve workplace productivity, recruitment and retention; grow a strong economy; and support children’s healthy development. Family Forward NC is fostering a community of employers who are inspired to support the health and well-being of our state’s current and future workforce. It is led by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation (NCECF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a foundation of lifelong health, education, and well-being for every child.
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BUDGET IMPACT
Budget Impact
NO ADDITIONAL COUNTY FUNDS REQUIRED
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REQUESTED ACTION
Requested Action
Authorize county staff to move forward with the application process in order to seek the Family Forward Initiative's Accreditation.
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