Roles for Business

Importance

Awareness that child abuse and neglect are problems and that these problems can be prevented by providing safe, stable, nurturing relationships and environments is critical to improving a community’s health and prosperity. Providing experiences in early care, education, and family settings that support parents and provide sturdy foundations for children's development can greatly reduce child abuse and neglect. Businesses can share this message with their employees and community by promoting attention to preventative efforts, such as success in school, reductions in other forms of violence, and other healthy community conditions. Building and supporting safe, healthy environments not only benefits the community members themselves but also the businesses that operate within those communities.

Examples

UTILITY

An electric utility company partners with local agencies to bring child development experts to the workplace to talk about issues parents might face during different developmental stages. They offer information and provide techniques for effective parenting.

TECHNOLOGY

A software company offers classes to employees on topics such as infant and toddler sleep problems, kindergarten preparedness, and behavior management for all age groups.

NONPROFIT

A nonprofit organization works with businesses to build awareness among their employees and stakeholders about the role parents and primary caregivers can play as a child's first and most important teacher. "Our goal is for a business to get involved with us in building awareness to show how 15 minutes of daily reading aloud, starting at birth, builds brain capacity and social-emotional skills that last a lifetime."