Early Care & Learning Council Launches Child Care Business Navigator Toolkit
Last week, Greater Rochester Chamber helped the Early Care & Learning Council and the Child Care Council reveal a Business Navigator Toolkit. The toolkit is a guide designed specifically for employers to help them understand their employees' child care needs, connect them with relevant tax credits, employee benefits, and HR services, while saving money for both employers and employees.
Childcare is an economic issue. Each year, around the nation, a lack of childcare is responsible for $122 billion in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue. This underscores the critical need for employers to better support their staff with this need, and for broader systemic changes needed. A lack of safe, high-quality, and affordable childcare is keeping people out of the work force and leading to higher turnover rates, absenteeism, and other “hidden costs” for employers.
There are an array of options for employers outlined in the Navigator, including some very actionable for both employers and employees. The Business Navigator includes essential resources, case studies, and regional contacts to begin the process or augment a plan already in place. It also outlines tax benefits and other ways for individuals and organizations to offset the costs of childcare.
Organizations can access the Business Navigator Toolkit digitally here. The toolkit contains resources for organizations and information that can be downloaded and shared with employees to help them better advocate for themselves.
This toolkit was developed specifically for businesses in New York State. It was produced as a collaborative effort between regional childcare councils, the business community, the NYS Office of Children and Family Services, Regional Economic Development Councils, and other stakeholders.
Greater Rochester Chamber is proud to collaborate with our partners in childcare across New York State to help bring attention to this vital issue. Throughout the legislative session ahead, we will support policies to address the cost of delivering quality childcare and expand childcare capacity. To get involved in our efforts or learn more, contact Director of Advocacy Joe Leathersich at Joe.Leathersich@GreaterRochesterChamber.com.