Logan County Commissioner Joe Antram attended the CCAO Workforce, Families and Children Symposium last week at Cherry Valley Hotel in Licking County.
The symposium provided an environment for county commissioners, county officials and leading experts to connect, inform and learn about important issues every county faces.
“There is a huge demand for reliable workers these days,” said Antram, who serves on the CCAO State Board of Directors, CCAO State Human Services Committee and CCAO State Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee.
“It was interesting to learn how community components can work together to maneuver housing, child care and work schedules so that employers may more readily hire and retain employees.”
Thursday’s first session, “Supporting Ohio’s Workforce: A Conversation about Child Care,” included insight from experts including Steve Stivers, Ohio Chamber of Commerce president and CEO, on the trend of individuals leaving the workforce due to lack of access to childcare.
The panel highlighted the need to expand eligibility and increase capacity of daytime childcare as well as second and third shift care to accommodate diverse work schedules.
Thursday also featured a session regarding Ohio’s evolving workforce, with insights from business development and private sector innovators such as JP Nauseef, JobsOhio president and CEO, and Emily Smith, Intel director of global public affairs and sustainability. Specifically, the session addressed how Ohio employers look to attract and retain talent in a competitive job market by addressing the evolving needs of Ohio’s workforce.
Additional presentations focused on challenges faced by children service agencies, including the rising cost of child placement. Mary Wachtel, Director of Public Policy for Public Children Services Association of Ohio, detailed the ongoing challenges counties face in locating and funding the placement of children with severe mental and behavioral health needs. These challenges are exacerbated by difficulties in children service personnel retention, brought on by high stress environments and navigating numerous regulatory requirements.
Friday, Matt Damschroder, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services director, provided a state legislative update, informing attendees about how current state policy affects the human services realm.
Other discussions on Friday focused on issues regarding children, such as early intervention services and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs).