The Kids Are Priority One Coalition brings together Vermont business leaders - from CEOs to sole proprietors, Human Resource professionals to child care providers - to work for a greater investment in early childhood services, programs and policy.
Businesses Speak Video
The "Businesses Speak about Early Childhood" video brings alive the inter-connected nature of economic development and child development through interviews with employers and employees of the National Life Group, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Red Hen Baking Company, Zutano Inc, and Onion River Animal Hospital.
The 23 minute video, divided into seven short video clips, highlights how: Children need high quality early care and education to develop into productive citizens and leaders; Employees need a combination of family-friendly public policies and innovative workplace practices to balance child well-being and the ability to work or participate in job training; and, Employers need a productive and reliable workforce, today and in the future.
This video features employers who have been leading the way in designing innovative workplace tools or practices, developing meaningful partnerships with early care and education programs, and championing public education and policy solutions that support children, employees and economic prosperity. Examples model why and how employers have engaged in the issue in ways that make the most sense for them.
Collaborators on the video project, include: Central Vermont Building Bright Futures Council, Kids Are Priority One Coalition, Green Mountain United Way, Family Center of Washington County, Red Hen Baking Company, Vermont Department of Health and the Washington County Youth Services Bureau.
The business video is divided into 7 clips. Scroll down to review topics and click on the corresponding video to play. Contact Kelly Ault, Kids Are Priority One Coalition's Organizing Director at kault1@earthlink.net or 802-272-0795, with questions or regarding interest in showing the video in your business, organization or community.
Chapter 1: Introduction/Early Childhood and Economic Development (1 minute 50 seconds)
Chapter 2: Employer Values/Return on Investment (3 minutes 54 seconds)
Chapter 3: Paid Family Leave/Support for Breastfeeding (2 minutes 35 seconds)
Chapter 4: Workplace Benefits: Schedule Flexibility, Employee Benefits, Bring Your Baby to Work Program (4 minutes 20 seconds)
Chapter 5: Child Care Partnerships/Volunteerism and Donations (6 minutes 8 seconds)
Chapter 6: Community Education and Policy Advocacy (2 minutes)
Chapter 7: Conclusion/Advice for Employers (2 minutes 35 seconds)
BUSINESS PLEDGE
The Coalition’s Kelly Ault stands with Senator Patrick Leahy at the 2009 Women’s Economic Opportunities Conference.
As Vermonters look for ways to make and keep our state prosperous, we turn to the connection between child development and economic development, as capable children become the foundation of a sustainable future.
Science tells us that the early years of life matter because early experiences build the architecture of a child's developing brain. The support and interaction of trusted adults shapes a child's brain circuits, affecting academic performance and interpersonal skills later in life.
We know how essential quality, early care and education experiences are for families who are working hard to keep Vermont's economy moving forward. Innovative states have been able to design high quality programs for children that have solved problems in early childhood development and shown significant long-term improvements for children, families and communities. We need to work together to ensure all communities throughout Vermont have access to these innovations.
Join the effort by adding your name to the BUSINESS PLEDGE (read above) by submitting the following contact information.
Child Care is Your Business Forum Held on May 28, 2009 at Burlington City Hall
Kids Are Priority One Coalition participated in a forum for HR professionals hosted by the Burlington Children’s Space, Leadership Champlain, CEDO, the Vermont Human Resources Association, and the Lake Champlain Chamber of Commerce.
Mayor Kiss opened the morning’s discussion with an acknowledgement of the importance of quality child care in the local community. Over 50 attendees identified the needs of employees for child care services and how employers are working with the child care providers to develop innovative solutions and forge mutually-beneficial partnerships.
Representative Jason Lorber from Burlington (on the House Commerce and Economic Development Committee) describes how addressing the underfunded child care subsidy program is an economic issue |
Ann Dillenbeck, Director of Building Bright Futures of Chittenden County, introduces a panel of speakers |