PEOPLE FIRST: The Road to Recovery by Kelly Houghteling In March 2021, we hit the one-year mark of the pandemic reaching the United States. After a year of responding and pivoting, it is time to think about recovery, resiliency, and how to build back stronger communities. As local government leaders, this is the moment we should be leading rather than lagging to create stronger organizations by taking care of our staff.
Support Families A 2019 bene ts study conducted by SHRM found only 4 percent of employers offer subsidized childcare. To support families during the pandemic and beyond, reliable childcare is needed. So, let’s harness the creative problem-solvers in our organizations by bringing folks together, building systems, and providing the resources needed. Could we subsidize the cost of childcare for employees who attend night meetings? Or offer onsite childcare at recreation centers for employees? And more broadly, how are local zoning and building codes hindering the expansion of childcare in our communities? Are we convening nonpro t and community partners to assess shared choke points and needs?
Reprinted f rom PM magazine, March 31, 2021.
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