BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University has been named a Family Forward NC Certified Employer by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s Family Forward NC initiative. The university is one of 143 certified employers and the largest certified employer in Western North Carolina.

Launched in 2018, Family Forward NC has engaged with more than 10,000 NC employers to date, with an aim to improve children’s health and well-being and keep North Carolina’s businesses competitive. It is employer-led change to increase access to research-based, family-friendly practices — big and small — that:

• improve workplace productivity, recruitment and retention;
• grow a strong economy; and
• support children’s healthy development.

Family Forward NC Employer Certification recognizes employers that offer policies and practices that support the health and well-being of working families and children. The certification looks at employer benefits such as paid leave and wages, accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers, child care supports, health and wellness benefits, and scheduling practices.

“This accolade affirms a core value of the Mountaineer spirit: App State’s greatest strength is its people,” said App State Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice Chancellor J.J. Brown. “App State is committed to continually refining our workplace practices alongside our employees — an ongoing effort of listening to and learning from our App State Community members, so that we can ensure every Mountaineer has the support they need to flourish, now and in the future.”

Family Forward NC defines best-practice policies through:

• the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Measures of Success and Action Frameworks;
• guidance from medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and
• guidance from partners in early childhood organizations, including the Child Care Services Association, MomsRising, the North Carolina Breastfeeding Coalition and others.

App State offers the following family-friendly benefits to employees and their families:

• Paid leave and wages
• Accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers
• Health and wellness benefits
• Professional development and tuition waivers
• Scheduling practices, such as flexible work arrangements

“Employers want to attract and retain the best employees, and they want those employees to be happy and healthy,” said Theresa Roedersheimer, executive director of the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation.

Multiple studies indicate the U.S. is facing a massive talent shortage that will result in a deficit of millions of workers by 2030. A child care crisis — coupled with lack of supports, such as paid leave — means pregnant workers and working parents and caregivers, especially women, are disproportionately forced to change jobs or leave the workforce entirely or are unable to rejoin the workforce after giving birth.

“For children, our future workforce, there is a critical window of time for brain development during the earliest years of life. In fact, the first 2,000 days of a child’s life are so defining that by the time that child turns 8, his or her third-grade reading outcomes can predict future academic achievement and career success,” said Roedersheimer.

She added, “Decades of research have established that children need supportive and supported families and communities to build strong brains, along with health and development on track from birth and high-quality birth-through-age 8 learning environments with regular attendance.”

For more information about App State’s employee benefits and culture, visit hr.appstate.edu. For more information about Family Forward NC and Family Forward NC Employer Certification, visit familyforwardnc.com.

What do you think?

Share your feedback on this story.

Office of Human Resources

The Office of Human Resources at Appalachian State University is responsible for administration of HR policies and procedures; employment services; classification and compensation; benefit administration; and organizational development and workforce planning.

Learn more

About the Division of University Operations

The Division of University Operations at Appalachian State University serves as a backbone to essential resources and services for the university’s Boone and Hickory campuses. App State operations staff work collaboratively across campus dining, housing, safety, transportation, communications and facilities to create a seamless, supportive and student-centered campus environment. Learn more at https://universityoperations.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.