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United Way of Santa Cruz County's Success by 6 & the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition Accounces the Winners of the 4th Annual Family Friendly Employer Awards

Capitola, August 17, 2006—“The fact that I am more comfortable and have lower stress about my baby helps me to focus more on my job while I am at work,” says Liz Chavez of Special Parents Information Network (SPIN). With balancing family and work among the top priorities of working parents in Santa Cruz County, family friendly workplaces have become increasingly more important to employees seeking environments in which to place their talents. Award nominator Julie Kelly of Pacific Credit Services remarked that the supportive practices of her company inspire her to be a more conscientious and loyal employee.

This year, the United Way teamed up with the Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition to add a breastfeeding friendly component to the Family Friendly workplace awards. Last year, the SC County Breastfeeding Coalition recognized 4 organizations for their breastfeeding friendly policies and practices. These awards were part of the inaugural celebration of Mother-Baby Friendly businesses instituted by the California State Breastfeeding Coalition. The purpose of these awards was to recognize businesses that supported and accommodated working mothers so that they could continue to provide breast milk for their infants. The Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition was privileged to collaborate this year with the United Way to recognize County businesses that have made special efforts to support nursing mothers.

United Way of Santa Cruz County Success By 6 and the Santa Cruz County Breast Feeding Coalition are pleased to announce the winners of the 4th Annual Santa Cruz County Family Friendly Workplace Awards. Winners are chosen for two categories: Family Friendly Workplace or Family Friendly Workplace with a Breastfeeding Friendly Emphasis. Family Friendly Workplace Committee members will be presenting the recognition awards throughout the month of August and September.

2006 Winners—Family Friendly Workplace

Parent’s Center, 530 Soquel, Santa Cruz
8/31/06 10:30 am

Santa Cruz Women’s Health Center, 250 Locust, Santa Cruz
9/20/06 11:30 am

Graniterock, 350 Technology Drive, Watsonville
8/23/06

2006 Winners—Family Friendly Workplace with Breastfeeding Friendly Emphasis

Special Parents Information Network (SPIN), 294 Green Valley Rd, Watsonville
9/5/06, 10:30am

Assemblymember John Laird’s Office, Santa Cruz
Not yet scheduled but will be early September

Pacific Credit Services, Watsonville
8/30/06 9:30am

ETR Associates, Scotts Valley
8/24/06 11:00am

In addition, there are five Honorable Mention Winners:

Bay Federal Credit Union, Capitola
Santa Cruz County Health Services Agency, Santa Cruz
The Skylight Place, Capitola
Tierra Pacific Charter School, Santa Cruz
Whitelaw Chiropractic, Capitola
Examples of Family Friendly Workplace policies include: flex-time, sick time for children’s illnesses, referral source for child-related assistance, child-friendly workplace, and access to health insurance options for children. This year’s winners have these policies and practices in place as well as other family friendly approaches including paternity leave, family-focused events, and time off for children’s activities. These practices pay off for employers as there is better retention of employees, greater focus at work for employees, and less absences. Nominations were received by employees of local organizations and businesses who feel particularly supported by their employers. The nominators were then interviewed by representatives of the award committee.

Interview and Photo Opportunites

The winners are available for interviews and photos at the presentations listed above or by arrangement. Please contact Laura Macleod, Community Organizer, United Way of Santa Cruz County at 831.479.5466.

Background on Santa Cruz County BreastfeedingCoalition

The Santa Cruz County Breastfeeding Coalition, established in March 1998, is committed to optimizing the health of mothers and babies by encouraging breastfeeding friendly attitudes, policies, and images in the community, recognizing the impact of birthing practices on breastfeeding, and promoting breastfeeding education and supportive practices among women and their families, health professionals and the community.

Background on Success by 6

Success By 6 is a United Way of Santa Cruz County Initiative whose mission is “to mobilize all segments of the community to work in partnership so as to ensure that all children enter kindergarten healthy, well adjusted and able to learn.” Started by United Way of America in the early 1990s, Success By 6 is responsible for making a difference in the quality of life for young children across the United States. In Santa Cruz County, Success By 6 has facilitated and helped fund the start-up of the Live Oak Family Resource Center; and currently partners with KSBW on an early childhood development media campaign; and works on policy issues such as Family Friendly Workplaces. Success By 6 can assist employers in becoming more family-friendly through the informal or formal policies. There is an employer resource area on the United Way of Santa Cruz County websitewith examples of workplace policies, speaker’s bureau information and information on a mentor employer program.

Background on Graniterock

Graniterock was founded on Valentine’s Day, 1900, when its first operation, the A.R. Wilson Quarry, was opened in Aromas, and soon became a heavy engineering contractor. Its California Contractor’s License—#22—demonstrates how long the Company has been in business. Graniterock has recently opened a new Branch location in Cupertino on South De Anza Boulevard supplying construction building and landscaping materials. There are already plant or branch locations in Aromas, Felton, Hollister, Monterey Peninsula, Oakland, Redwood City, Salinas, Santa Cruz, San Jose, and So. San Francisco. Graniterock’s Pavex Construction Division operates from area offices in Redwood City, San Jose, Oakland, and Watsonville, and performs large work such as highway or runway expansion projects, as well as commercial and residential projects. The Company’s Corporate Offices have been located in Watsonville since 1900.

For more information, contact:
Laura Macleod, United Way of Santa Cruz County, 831.479.5466,[email protected]
Bruce W. Woolpert, Graniterock, 831.768.2001