KIDS COUNT has launched an annual, statewide award program called “Business on Board with Childcare!” to recognize businesses that support their employees’ childcare needs.

The Business on Board with Childcare! designation will signify a West Virginia employer’s adherence to key national and local criteria for a childcare-friendly workplace.

The Business on Board with Childcare! award criteria have been adapted from a list developed by the Families and Work Institute (www.familiesandwork.org) and KIDS COUNT’s own statewide efforts to get parents, childcare providers and community leaders involved in advocating for better childcare policies.

To be designated a Business on Board with Childcare! , West Virginia employers must comply with any combination of the following award criteria totaling at least 15 points:

• On-site childcare (25 points)
• Payment for childcare with vouchers or other subsidies that have directcosts to the company (20 points)
• Flexible spending accounts that help employees pay for childcare with pre-tax dollars (10 points)
• Reimbursement of childcare costs when employees work late (10 points)
• Reimbursement of child care costs when employees travel for business (10 points)
• Childcare for school-age children on vacation (10 points)
• Backup or emergency care for employees when their regular childcare arrangements fall apart (10 points)
• Sick care for the children of employees; or sick leave for employees with sick children; or employees allowed to bring sick children to work (10 points)
• Participation in their local KIDS COUNT Community or other similar efforts to advocate for better childcare. (5 points)
• Access to information to help locate childcare in the community (Child Care Resource and Referral information) (5 points)
• Financial support of the West Virginia KIDS COUNT Fund, including sponsorship of the Business on Board with Childcare! awards (5 points)

Resources
To download the official Business on Board with Childcare! application form, click here.

To learn more about the positive results for businesses that provide a childcare-friendly workplace and how to effectively implement childcare-friendly policies, go to http://betterkidcare.psu.edu/Employer_Options.pdf and download “Employer Options for Child Care: Effective Strategies for Recruitment and Retention” by Penn State University.

For a quick list of key facts about childcare and business bottom line, click here.

And for additional resources about supporting employees’ childcare needs, check out our Links and Resources page.

For a list of frequently asked questions about the Business on Board with Childcare! awards, click here.

Sponsorship Opportunities
The program is funded in part by grants from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation and the Early Care and Education Division of the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources. To learn how your organization can become a sponsor, download our sponsorship brochure, e-mail KIDS COUNT at margiehale@wvkidscountfund.org or call 1-888-KIDSCOUNT.