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Working Family Support
Help Working Families
Find Support
Many existing organizations and programs are designed to support working families looking for affordable, quality childcare. Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) and Employer Resource Networks (ERN®) can be used to disseminate resources and information and create formal networks of working families to support each other and provide the organization with input and feedback. EAPs are an easy way to disseminate organization-vetted resources or vendors for working parents.
Using these resources is a great first step because it costs little to nothing. An ERN® can help working parents connect with one another, share resources, build community, and jointly suggest possible solutions for the organization.
What can you do?
Identify the current situation
Determine the resources currently being provided to working families, understand if they are well-utilized, and see if your EAP program includes information about them. You can use the survey link below to better understand the needs and challenges. Check if your organization already has a working Employer Resource Network
Build Upon Existing Efforts
Look for opportunities to update your EAP to more effectively disseminate resources and information by asking your EAP provider about expanding what more they can do to support working families.
Expand
resources
Offer employees access to a broader range of family support, including childcare options, subsidy programs, and parenting resources. Regularly review and update offerings to meet evolving needs.
Create open lines of communication
Determine what ongoing data and feedback are needed to stay responsive to families’ needs.
Share Tax Season Childcare Resources
During tax season, proactively send reminders to employees about claiming childcare tax credits (like the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit). Include links to vetted childcare resources, such as your company intranet or external childcare information pages to support and guide working parents.