Council Update: Child care providers felt valued by CSC, partners during pandemic

A survey conducted by Children’s Services Council of Palm Beach County staff and partner agencies found that early child care providers felt their input was valued during a project to provide additional short-term resources during the pandemic.
As previously reported to the CSC Council, staff – partnering with the Early Learning Coalition, Palm Beach State College and the school district – engaged with providers and conducted a survey to determine the greatest needs for those supporting child care in Palm Beach County. The group made a commitment to center racial and ethnic equity in their approach. As a result, partners identified child care providers in the Glades community as one that’s heavily burdened by the pandemic and geographically isolated from resources. 
CSC staff told the Council at its January meeting that in a follow-up survey, a majority of providers reported their input was valued and that they would like to work with CSC again. The survey also found that most providers spent additional financial assistance on operating costs, classroom materials, playground equipment, health and safety and staff salaries.
In other business
Birth Outcomes Update: CSC staff updated the Council on Palm Beach County birth outcomes, noting that the county had the lowest percentage of low birthweight births of Black (13.1%) and white (6.3%) babies in 2020 out of the seven largest counties in Florida, and the state. The county also had the lowest percentage of pre-term births (9.5%) and the lowest rate of infant mortality (3.8 per 1,000 births). 
Summer Internship Program: Recruitment for CSC’s Summer Internship Program is currently underway, as the organization looks for students to fill five part-time intern positions in Legal Affairs, Communications/Marketing, Program, Audit, and Journalism for summer 2022. The goal is to provide opportunities for a more diverse group of individuals to engage with CSC and increase the future applicant pool for open positions. As of mid January, 78 applicants had applied. Recruiting efforts will continue through Feb. 28, with interviews taking place in mid-March.
Things to Do Update: During the second week of January, the Communications Division soft-launched the new ‘Things to Do’ feature in the EveryParent app. This new feature provides EveryParent users with a list of around 10 family friendly events, activities or adventures going on across Palm Beach County each week. The ‘Things to Do’ feature includes the time, date, location/directions, cost (if any) and description of event, as well as the age of the children it’s most appropriate for. Families can save the event information on their phone’s calendar and share it with friends via text or email.
Beginning in February, ‘Things to Do’ will be advertised on seven billboards across the county. In March, the Communications Division will launch a full marketing rollout (including YouTube videos, social media posts, radio PSAs and more) – just in time for spring break.