REPORT SAYS CHILD CARE IS KEY NEED WORK FORCE PRODUCTIVITY, WORKER RETENTION AT STAKE.

Byline: Eric Leach Staff Writer

VENTURA - Child care is a $153 million industry in Ventura County that allows workers to be more productive and helps employers attract and retain employees, according to a new report.

The report, ``The Economic Impact of the Child Care Industry in Ventura County,'' found that this industry provides 4,700 jobs locally.

``What we learned is that not only is (the lack of) child care a significant barrier to self-sufficiency, but it is also a critical part of the county's economic infrastructure,'' said J. Thomas Van Berkem, chairman of the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County, which funded the study released in January.

``This report emphasizes the inherent link between child care, business, government and economic development,'' he said.

The study was produced by the National Economic Development and Law Center through a contract with the Ventura County Human Services Agency.

The report found that one in four workers in Ventura County has children with both parents working outside the home. Together these working parents earn $2.2 billion every year.

The average annual cost for full-time, licensed child care is over $10,000, more than three times as much as tuition at California State University, Channel Islands.

The report said that nearly one quarter of unscheduled absences from work are due to family issues, including child-care needs.

It concluded that child care attracts businesses to the area and young professionals to Ventura County.

It improves the futures of low-income children and thereby lowers the costs of crime and welfare programs. Child care benefits early childhood programs and promotes language, math, thinking and attention skills.

The report included observations by leaders of some of Ventura County's biggest businesses.

Kevin Sharer, president and chief executive officer of Thousand Oaks- based Amgen, said child care at his company promotes productivity.

``Camp Amgen (an on-site child care center) has been a highly valued benefit for Amgen staff and their families since it opened eight years ago. ... Parents are more productive knowing that their children are in a safe, positive and nurturing environment.''

Yvon Chouinard, owner of Ventura-based Patagonia, said on-site child care and flex time for employees makes money.

``For every woman who doesn't quit after she gets pregnant, we save $50,000 by not having to hire and train someone else. We have very little turnover, more productivity from mothers and fathers and we attract a better type of employee.''

Amy Fonzo, executive director of the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County, said large businesses that provide child care benefit the community.

``Having an on-site child care facility is definitely an advantage in the recruitment and retention of workers,'' she said. ``It's also effective for the nearby businesses that are allowed to use it. The businesses that have on-site child-care facilities are not only making an impact on their own work force, but helping the neighboring business community as well. Not all businesses will be able to afford their own child-care facilities.''

The study recommended that developments of new residential communities and business areas in Ventura County include space for child-care facilities and that child-care representatives be included in economic development and business planning efforts.

It recommended that businesses in the area contribute to the Ventura County Child Care Investment Loan Fund to provide start-up funding for child-care providers.

The Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County oversees work force development in the county by integrating employment, training, education, and business services for job-seekers, workers and employers.

Its annual budget of more than $7 million helps create and fund programs that help youth and adults train for available jobs and help employers create new jobs and upward mobility for workers.

Eric Leach, [phone]

eric.leach(at)dailynews.com