Santa Barbara Employers Salute National Work and Family Month

First 5 Santa Barbara County is celebrating October Work and Family Month and invites all local employers to participate.  As part of Resolution 21, the U.S. Senate stated, "reducing the conflict between work and family life should be a national priority.”  National Work and Family Month encourages all employers to pause during the month of October to communicate and celebrate progress on creating healthier work environments raising the bar on work-life issues. To make the most of October Work and Family Month, all Santa Barbara employers are encouraged to take part in local recognition of work-life balance.

First 5 Santa Barbara County is recognizing all employers who participate in October’s Work and Family as model employers and wants to know exactly how each employer is saluting Work and Family Month.  Participation in Work and Family month makes employees proud and increases visibility as an employer of choice for potential employees.

Participating in Santa Barbara’s Work and Family Month is easy!   

1. Dedicate October as Work and Family month in your place of employment.  Modify the downloadable Resolution and create a special event proclaiming October as Work and Family month.  Please notify us regarding how you will announce your dedication and what activities you will do to support the resolution. 
2. Tell us about your current work-life programs and policies.  Download, fill out and return the Alliance for Work-Life Progress (AWLP) Self Audit and return to Holly as soon as possible.
3. Collect testimonials, quotes and photos from employees on how they successfully manage child care and work-life challenges and submit for inclusion in the media campaign. Send testimonials and quotes to Holly as soon as possible.
4. Construct your own outreach! Use the sample press release, write letters to the editor, post the Work and Family poster (link coming soon) in your front window and staff areas, or create an article on Work and Family Month for your internal newsletter, and coordinate activities in your work place.  Let everyone know what you are doing to support and promote awareness regarding Work and Family month. 
5. Attend the County’s and City’s Proclamation of October Work and Family Month.   

We want to help recognize how your organization supports the balance of work-life issues.  Media will be contacted to highlight Work and Family Month as well as the continued efforts of the Downtown Santa Barbara Employer Child Care Partnership. In addition, media will be encouraged to focus on employers who make Work and Family Resolutions, as well as those who have current work life program and policies in place.  For more information about getting involved in Santa Barbara’s Work and Family Month and to get involved in the Downtown Santa Barbara Employer Child Care Partnership, contact Holly Goldberg at hgold@countyofsb.org, 884-8062.