On March 23, Nana Grants, PharmaCentra and Concentra Solutions hosted the first meeting of the Sumter County Early Childhood Education Initiative Roundtable. The purpose of the roundtable was to discuss the issue of affordable, quality child care in Sumter County and how it affects economic mobility and economic development in the county. The group explored five primary questions:
 
How does child care play a role in your organization?

How does child care affect the ability of local employers to find and retain qualified talent?

How does child care influence enrollment and retention at post-secondary institutes?

What are the barriers to quality child care in Sumter County?

How does lack of affordable child care limit economic mobility in Sumter County?
 
The discussion brought to light several top issues and concerns including:

a shortage of quality-rated child care providers in Sumter County, in particular those offering flexible, after-hours care;

how a lack of affordable child care prevents low-income families and single mothers from accessing GED training and secondary educational opportunities;

the employment challenges associated with training and employing working parents in a community that lacks affordable child care solutions.

“It was a real honor to host this round table focusing on this very important issue,” said Dan Berman, chief executive officer, PharmaCentra & Concentra Solutions. “The energy, excitement and passion of the stakeholders in the room was palpable. We couldn't be more excited to be a part of the discussion and the solution to improve access and quality of early childhood education in Sumter County.”
 
 
Attendees included:

Terrie Alby, chief operating officer, Albany Area YMCA

Dan Berman, chief executive officer, PharmaCentra & Concentra Solutions

Kimberly Christmas, vice president of human resources, PharmaCentra & Concentra Solutions

Dan Gillan, president/CEO, Albany Area YMCA

Sheila Hambrick, service coordinator, certified early intervention specialist, and Sumter County Family Connection collaborative volunteer

Diane Harrison, senior vice president of human resources, Magnolia Manor, Inc.

Krystal Heath, coordinator, Sumter County Family Connections

Jackie Holmes, owner, Jackie’s Lil Tooty Tots

Marcus Johnson, director of community relations & customer service, Phoebe Sumter Medical Center

David Peppers, human resources manager, Imerys Refractory Minerals

Erica Stephens, founder & executive director, Nana Grants

Bob Stinchcum, business/industry resource specialist, South Georgia Technical College

Quaslind Thomas, data processor & child care billing clerk, Albany Area YMCA

Judy Tott, Sumter County Family Connection Collaborative volunteer
           
The group will meet again in the second quarter of 2017 to begin exploring solutions to the challenges identified in this kick-off discussion.