In April, YMCA Childcare Resource Service teamed up with March and Ash, UFCW Local 135 and SAY San Diego to host an incredible Employer-Supported Child Care Forum. The event was a resounding success, bringing attention to our impactful partnership and igniting a wave of interest from employers committed to supporting their employees' child care needs.
We understand that child care expenses can place a heavy burden on families, often becoming the second-largest expense they face. At the Y, we firmly believe that no family should have to choose between having a fulfilling career and providing quality child care for their children. That's why we're proud to be working with employers across San Diego County to connect their employees to affordable child care options through our innovative Employer-Supported Child Care program.
“Many families have to make a very difficult decision to step out of the workforce because the cost of care is just too much. We know that critical to our economy and having women in the workforce is having this critical support of child care." - Kim McDougal, YMCA of San Diego County VP
During the forum, we covered various aspects related to employer-supported child care. San Diego Councilmember Raul Campillo kicked off the event with opening remarks.
"Since taking office, I've been dedicated to supporting and leading expanding San Diegans’ access to affordable child care because if families can secure child care, we know that it will drive down their entire cost of living." - Councilmember Raul Campillo, District 7
We delved into why child care is crucial for businesses, explored various options employers can pursue, discussed key partners, and provided guidance on how to start implementing a successful child care plan.
We shined a spotlight on a remarkable collaboration between UFCW Local 135 and March and Ash – hearing firsthand how they infused child care into their agreement and why they chose to collaborate with the Y. Together, we developed a unique program that exemplifies our commitment to supporting working families.
Another aspect of how employers can support child care is to create programs on site. SAY San Diego, is a local non-profit that shared their own expertise in how they started a child care program for their employees. SAY San Diego's on-site child care program prioritizes high-quality care, family involvement, flexibility, and holistic development.
We also celebrated the success stories of our dedicated staff and the employees benefiting from our Employer-Supported Child Care program. Through captivating video montages, we witnessed firsthand the positive impact that accessible and affordable child care has had on their personal and professional lives. March and Ash leadership also took the stage to highlight the achievements and successes they have experienced through our partnership.
We wrapped up the forum with a focus on continuous quality improvement. By constantly evaluating and refining our program, we can ensure it evolves alongside the needs of families and businesses, providing the best child care solutions possible.
We're thrilled about the overwhelming interest and positive response generated by the Employer-Supported Child Care Forum. This partnership between the Y, March and Ash, and UFCW Local 135 exemplifies the incredible impact that can be achieved when organizations come together with a shared goal of supporting working families.
If you missed out on the forum, don't worry! We're committed to continuing this important conversation and exploring new opportunities to connect employers with our Employer-Supported Child Care program. Stay tuned for upcoming events and initiatives where you can join us and make a difference in the lives of working parents and their children.
Learn more about this partnership by visiting: Case Study: March & Ash + UFCW Local + YMCA of San Diego County