MCEDP

The Moore County Chamber of Commerce has announced a local effort to increase the total number of businesses and non-profits participating in the Family Forward NC certification. The state-wide initiative, led by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation, is designed to create a more family-friendly community through policy alignment, employer engagement, and workforce development.

This project is in partnership with Moore County Economic Development Partnership; Pinehurst, Aberdeen, Southern Pines Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Partners for Children and Families.

“MCEDP is fully supportive of the Family Forward NC initiative and we encourage Moore County businesses to pursue the certification that provides resources and recognition for family-friendly practices,” said Natalie Hawkins, president of the Moore County Economic Development Partnership.

Organizations can find out more about participating by visiting familyforwardnc.com or moorecountychamber.com or contacting Linda Parsons, president and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce, at lparsons@moorecountychamber.com.

As a designated Family Forward NC Certified Community Candidate, Moore County is committed to identifying and expanding policies that support working families and drive economic growth. The Family Forward NC Certification serves as a roadmap to help local businesses and stakeholders implement the best practices that promote work-life balance, childcare accessibility, and flexible workplace culture.

“By supporting family-friendly workplace policies, we’re not only enhancing employee retention and productivity, but we’re also making Moore County more competitive and attractive for businesses and families alike,” said Parsons.

Any employer with two or more employees working 30 hours per week in North Carolina can apply for the certification, and Lisa Finaldi, NC Early Education Foundation’s community engagement leader, said a majority of those who apply will qualify. Along with an application, the process begins with identifying current family-friendly workplace policies. The foundation has outlined 19 policies, which it has grouped into five categories: paid leave and wages, flexible work and scheduling, health and wellness benefits, child care and accommodations and support.

Finaldi said employers aren’t required to have all 19 policies in place. Once the certification has been earned, it is valid for two years and gives the employer access to resources and special programming from the Early Childhood Foundation. Along with documenting the policies in place, it will recommend some policies that an employer can implement to improve employee support.

Stuart Mills, executive director of Partners for Children and Families, said his organization gained more than the certification through the process. He said that becoming a Family Forward Certified Employer increased productivity, but that the greater impact came in day-to-day operations following his leadership’s examination of the policies.

In addition to Partners for Children and Families, Sandhills Community College, First Bank and R.Riveter are certified workplaces through Family Forward NC. The chamber said several others are currently going through the certification process.

First Bank has a previous connection with Family Forward NC through its offices in Greensboro, which was designated as the first Family Forward NC Certified Community in April. First Bank’s connection will give the efforts in Moore County a head-start.

The local partnership is the first step toward Moore County gaining its own community designation, but individual businesses achieving the certification will have a greater impact on the local workforce and economy.

“Companies that embrace family-friendly policies aren’t just being kind, they’re being strategic,” said Hawkins. “These companies realize improved workplace productivity, a greater ability to recruit and retain the talent they need, and increased employee engagement. In today’s competitive business environment, being family-friendly can help differentiate your company and give you a strategic advantage.”

(From Chamber press release & article in The Pilot by Frank Daniels IV)