Pardon Our Dust
We recently launched this new site and are still in the process of updating some of our archived content. Some details of this article may be incomplete, links may be broken, and other elements may not display properly yet. We appreciate your patience and understanding.
The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation (VECF) has assembled a blue-ribbon task force, Back to Work Virginia, to develop an assertive strategic plan with recommendations to stabilize and strengthen the child care industry as the Commonwealth gets back to work and rebuilds its economy.
Led by McGuireWoods Consulting senior advisor, Jim Dyke; Virginia Economic Development Partnership President and CEO, Stephen Moret; and Hampton Roads Community Foundation President and CEO, Dr. Deborah DiCroce, the task force will include Virginia leaders in government, business and industry, and philanthropy.
According to a VECF press release, recommendations of the task force are expected to highlight strategies to adequately and sustainably fund early care and education, diversify and maximize financing, reconceptualize and strengthen business practices and models, and recognize the cost drivers of quality child care services as both a public and private good.
“The findings and multi-pronged recommendations will be presented this fall to relevant audiences in business, philanthropy, Virginia’s administration and the General Assembly,” said Jim Dyke.
Dr. DiCroce added, “As Virginia plans for economic recovery when COVID-19 restrictions are lifted, child care will be vital to ensuring that families can return to work. We must collectively and collaboratively seize the opportunity to create a strengthened and more equitable child care system for Virginia’s bright future.”
Beginning in May, the task force will be facilitated by VECF and informed by a bench of local, state, and national policy, finance, and reform experts.