Please join the Workforce Funders Affinity Group to hear outcomes from this year’s legislative session. Our speakers will share information about passed legislation and efforts that did not quite make it this year. They will also provide information outcomes of specific bills in the 2022 Maryland Legislative Session in the issue areas of workforce development and quality jobs, the public safety net, financial education, asset building, and consumer protections.

Early childhood professionals play an essential role in communities, helping young children to develop, supporting working families, and enabling business operations.  While affordable and high-quality childcare is critical, the early childcare sector is underfunded and dysfunctional. COVID-19 has exacerbated longstanding issues, exacting a devastating impact on childcare centers and the professionals that staff them. In this program, we will hear more about the issues impacting the early childhood workforce at the individual, employer, and systems levels. We will explore the role of employer collaboration with funders and other stakeholders to advance necessary changes in business practices and public policies to support these essential workers.