LunchVox Tackles Need to Address Childcare
This November, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce education committee hosted the fourth LunchVox event in the quarterly speaker series. Presented by Chambers Construction, LunchVox programs feature topical issues facing our business community. November’s program addressed an issue facing employers, parents, and students – The Childcare Dilemma. We were joined by Julia Barfield, Senior Manager of Policy and Programs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, and Noah Vanhorn, School Psychologist and Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) Coach with Springfield Public Schools.
Barfield addressed how childcare challenges, already persistent and complex, have been further complicated by the COVID-19 public health crisis. Parents are trying to balance childcare, comprehensive distance learning, and work; childcare providers are trying to stay open or re-open with decreased capacity and increased operational costs; and employers are trying to determine how and when their working parents can return to work. Her presentation sought to deliver a common understanding of the diverse perspectives of those impacted, so that we may begin to address solutions. Our takeaways? Childcare is a multi-generation workforce issue. Not only do we need to address childcare for parents already in the workforce, but we also need quality childcare so that we may address the achievement gap in schools and set the next generation of workforce up for the skills they need in an unknown future labor market.
Vanhorn shared his own experiences working with local students, coordinating care teams, and helping instructors develop best practices for virtual learning. His presentation addressed challenges facing students, parents, and district staff brought on by the COVID-19 driven switch to comprehensive distance learning. Our takeaways? Students are facing many challenges including lack of social interactions, added distractions in a home learning environment, and a severe gap in mental health resources. At the same time, there has been a coordinated effort between the district and community partners to address the immediate needs and resources for families, and dedicated teachers and school staff are developing creative ideas to engage students and deliver quality instruction to students.
Workforce of Today, Workforce of Tomorrow – US Chamber Foundation Report
