INSIDE DOUGLAS COLLEGE / MAY 1, 1990

National research on employer-supported
child care to be released at June symposium

A major challenge facing
employers in the workplace

will be addressed when the results
of a joint University of B.C. and
Douglas College research project
into employer-supported childcare
are released at a provincial sym-

posium in Vancouver on June 20th.

The research project was in-
itiated in September, 1988, and is
funded by Health and Welfare
Canada’s Child Care Initiatives
Fund. Results of the study indicate
that companies are interested in
participating in the child care
needs of employees, says Carol
Ebner, Douglas College faculty
member and project researcher.

Elva Reid, project research co-
ordinator, says the study is bridg-
ing gaps between the world of

business and the world of child
care. "The research was done in
the business community, and
that’s where we are presenting the
results,” she says.

"There is a willingness to im-
plement child care benefits on be-
half of employees, but a lack of
guidelines and knowledge about
the impact of such policies have
discouraged businesses from in-
itiating them,” says Reid.

The all-day symposium at the
U.B.C. Child Study Centre features
a keynote speech by John
Heldrich, Vice President of Ad-
ministration for Johnson &
Johnson's world-wide family of
companies. Heldrich will discuss
"The Significance of Work/ Family
Initiatives in Corporate North

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Popove elected College Board Chair

At the inaugural 1990/91 College Board meeting in April, Mrs.
Myrna Popove was elected to the position of Chairman of the Douglas
College Board, replacing Dr. Pauline Hughes whose term as Chairman
had expired. Mrs. Popove, a resident of Coquitlam, has been a Board
member since 1986, and since 1988 has served as Vice-Chairman.

Mr. Richard Bell, also from Coquitlam and a Board member since

1987, was elected as Vice-Chairman.

Further information will be forthcoming regarding Board appoint-

ments to the various committees.

New appointment to Board

During the past month the College has welcomed a new appoint.
ment, Mrs. Karin F.L. Henderson, to the College Board.

Mrs. Henderson, a resident of Maple Ridge, B.C., is a Registered
Nurse and is currently the Manager of the Central Supply Departinc:
Maple Ridge Hospital. In addition to receiving a post graduate diploma
in Operating Room Nursing, Mrs. Henderson has served on Advisor)
Committees at B.C.1.T., instructed in the Central Supply Aide courses at
Vancouver Community College, and has done contract work for Health
and Welfare Canada on Operating Room Staffing Methodology.

Mrs. Henderson adds a dimension to the College Board, especially in
the Health field where Douglas College is currently recognized as having
excellent quality programs. Welcome to Douglas College . @

America."

Plenary presentations will be
given by Dr. Arthur Emlea, Profes-
sor Emeritus, Portland State
University, Portland, Oregon, and
Dr. Sandra Burud, President,
Burud Associates of Pasadena,
California.

Dr. Glen Dixon, director of the
U.B.C. Child Study Centre and one
of the co-investigators of the re-
search project, says the sym-
posium ‘“offers-a rare opportunity
for business people and other
groups to exchange ideas and
learn about the advantages and
methods of having employer-sup-
ported child care programs."

Dixon says projected skill
shortages for the 1990’s mean the
attraction and retention of key
employees is becoming a priority
for most companies.

Research conducted in the
United States shows that busi-
nesses with employer-supported
child care programs are better able
to compete for the services of
skilled employees, resulting in bet-
ter productivity and other benefits,
adds Ebner.

The symposium will be valu-
able to employers, researchers,
women’s groups, early childhood
educators, government and union
representatives, and anyone who
is interested in learning about the
needs, options and benefits of
employer-supported child care.

"It’s not an academic exercise,"
says Ebner. "Our guests are in-
fluential leaders in the corporate
world.”

The registration fee for the
symposium is $350. For further in-
formation call 527-5127 or 527-
5479. To register call 527-5472. @

 

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