1. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES CHILDREN, YOUTH AND FAMILIES The Economic Impact of the Early Care and Education Industry in Fresno County

2. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR BUILDING PROSPEROUS COMMUNITIES Founded in 1969, The National Economic Development & Law Center, NEDLC, is a national research and consulting organization dedicated to building economic health and opportunity in vulnerable communities. We partner with a diverse range of colleagues to develop innovative strategies and programs that result in systemic change and help people become—and remain— economically secure.

3. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center  NEDLC originally sought to remove child care as a barrier to workforce development  Brought together Economic Development, Child Care, Financial, Policy and Academic sectors to discuss child care as economic development  Created economic impact report methodology to understand linkages between child care and the local economy

4. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Economic Impact Model  Quantify ECE’s contribution to the local economy  Develop a countywide action plan to strengthen the early care and education system  Engage new stakeholders in an on-going dialogue, which helps spark change in investment strategies as well as programs to grow and sustain the industry

5. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center The ECE Industry in Fresno County Adds… Educational Value Economic Value Social Value

6. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Our Partners  Fresno County Office of Education, Child Care & Development Local Planning Council  Funded by First 5 Fresno County

7. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Our Process  Advisory Board—The “Big Picture”  Technical Committee—The “Nuts and Bolts”

8. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center The ECE Industry The ECE industry includes programs designed to nurture, support, enrich and educate children from birth through age 12 outside of traditional education in kindergarten through twelfth grades.

9. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Economic Impact Report Findings The ECE Industry in Fresno County:  Generates jobs and revenue  Enables parents to work and go to school  Supports productivity and profitability of local businesses  Promotes the future workforce

10. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center A Significant Industry in Fresno County In Fresno County, there are 1,325 licensed child care programs, including:  851 small family child care homes  182 large family child care homes  292 licensed child care centers Fresno County’s Children  23% of Fresno County’s residents are children ages 0-12. By the year 2020, the number of children in the county will increase by 25%.

11. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center A Significant Industry in Fresno County

12. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center A Significant Industry in Fresno County

13. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Current Workforce Fresno County’s Working Parents  1 in 5 labor force participants is a working parent Early Care and Education Industry  Supports the current workforce  Drives labor force productivity  Reduces absenteeism, increases retention, and improves recruitment

14. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Future Workforce Early Care and Education:  Cultivates the Future Workforce  Offers a Significant Public Financial Return

15. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center A Call to Action Ensure that:  ECE is a vital part of the county’s economic development, workforce development and overall education systems  High-quality ECE programs and services are affordable and accessible  Local businesses are effectively engaged and educated

16. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Recommendations for Business  Offer cost-effective, family-supportive policies and practices for employees, such as flexible spending accounts, back-up child care, flexible schedules  Include ECE representatives in economic development and business and community planning efforts and activities  Provide loan products specifically designed for ECE providers

17. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Recommendations for the Public Sector  Expand public transportation opportunities for working families  Streamline existing licensing and permitting processes including standardizing fee systems and revising regulations  Create tax incentives for businesses that offer ECE benefits, invest in the local ECE infrastructure, and/or offer below market value rent to ECE programs

18. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center Recommendations for Early Care & Education  Incorporate business skills training in all ECE activities and provider trainings  Form a trade association to purchase goods and services, including healthcare benefits, at economies of scale  Publicly recognize businesses that are champions of ECE  Create a toolkit of ECE options and existing resources for employers to share with their working families

19. INVESTING IN FAMILIES National Economic Development and Law Center “Money invested today in high-quality, early education will help children develop the social, emotional, and academic foundations that will serve them throughout life.” --Committee for Economic Development