Community Solutions Summit
Schedule
Thu Apr 24 2025 at 07:30 am to 12:00 pm
UTC-07:00Location
Venue 252 | Eugene, OR
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Join us as we host the Community Solutions Summit as we discuss soliutions surrounding our region's Child Care needs, sponsored by PeaceHealth. First-of-its-kind Child Care Community Solutions Summit will bring together leaders from both the public and private sectors to explore the crucial role of child care in our economy. The event will emphasize the need for examining creative child care solutions, and encouraging collaborative efforts to address the child care challenge while fostering a resilient workforce and economy.
A full Breakfeast catered by Venue 252 will be served along with coffee, and light refreshements. Enjoy a morning networking opportunity, followed by programming to inform, connect, and inspire local business leaders toward action.
Summit Agenda:
7:30 a.m.
Doors Open & Full Breakfast Catered by Venue 252 Served
8 a.m.
Opening & Sponsor Remarks
Keynote Presentation: Stephanie Ferguson Melhorn
Senior Director of Workforce & International Labor Policy @ U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Stephanie will share the critical impact of child care on the latest workforce data and trends.
Executive Perspectives: The Critical Role of Employers in Child Care
We’ll hear from local executives about how child care is impacting their ability to recruit and retain top talent, the steps they’ve taken to address their employees’ child care needs, and the lessons learned along the way.
Best Place for Working Parents® Launch and Recognition of Local Designees
Tim Inman, Chief Policy and Public Affairs Officer at the Ford Family Foundation, and Sadie Funk, National Director of Best Place for Working Parents
Tim and Sadie will help us launch Best Place for Working Parents® Lane County - a recognition system for family friendly employers in the region. We’ll also recognize over 20 local designees!
On the Frontline: Providers and the Child Care Supply Crisis
Child care is a complex, highly regulated component of our economic infrastructure. A panel including Matt Barnes, Co-Founder of Tip Tap Grow, Cheryl Henderson, Director of Child and Family Education at Lane Community College, and Charleen Strauch of Head Start of Lane County will share challenges they face and opportunities they see on the horizon.
It Takes a Village: Spotlighting Supply Innovation Champions
We know that we need to add about 1,500 new child care slots to meet our community’s demand. Those slots also have to be supported by qualified, well-compensated staff, there must be appropriate facility space, and care must be affordable for families. In a panel moderated by Lane Community College President, Stephanie Bulger, we’ll hear about the impact of the Early Child Care Business Accelerator program led by Quality Care Connections and Lane SBDC, as well as the recent approval of the Lane Early Learning Registered Apprenticeship.
It Takes a Village: Spotlighting Innovative Partnerships
Lane County is fortunate to have several emerging, innovative partnerships and projects to address our child care needs. Lindsey Cochran, Child Care Infrastructure Program Coordinator at Business Oregon, will lead a panel discussion about promising public/private partnerships, including the Eugene Airport’s exploration of on-site/near-site child care in partnership with area manufacturing employers.
Advocacy in Action: How Employers can Engage
Employer sponsored child care is an important piece of the puzzle; however, the key to long-term, durable change is ensuring business leaders work together to advocate for public policy reforms to expand working families’ access to affordable, quality childcare. Hear about opportunities at the local, state and federal level to lend your voice.
Turning to Experts: Child Care Resource Partners
Navigating the realm of child care can be overwhelming, but there are resources in our community to help. Hear from Cheryl Henderson of Quality Care Connections, and Holly Mar-Conte, Child Care Sector Strategist at Onward Eugene, about support they can provide for employers.
11:45 a.m. Closing Remarks and Continuing the Conversation
What clear actions you can take after today’s summit? Learn from the Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce CEO, where we can go from here and how you can stay involved in this vital conversation.
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Where is it happening?
Venue 252, 252 lawrence st,Eugene, Oregon, United StatesEvent Location & Nearby Stays:
