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r f-- Child Care Task Force Background On November 29, a special briefing for Orange County employers on the impact of child care on today's workforce was sponsored by the Chapel Hill- Carrboro Chamber of Commerce, Hillsborough /Orange Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Board of Commissioners, Orange County Economic Development Commission, and the Triangle United Way. Principal conveners /facilitators included Michele Rivest, Orange County Partnership for Young Children and Sue Russell, Child Care Services Association. Presenters from the County included Nancy Coston, Social Services, and Dianne Reid, Economic Development. Commissioners Carey and Foushee were in attendance to provide welcoming remarks and help introduce the topic. The November briefing was essentially a networking event to engage local employers in learning about options that presently exist and the need to secure additional resources for affordable day care solutions. At the end, Commissioner Foushee brought forward the recommendation to create a new "County Commissioner's Task Force on Child Care and Workforce" to carry the conversation further. Such a task force, as suggested by the event organizers, would ideally include broad representation from employers and the private sector and have as its goals increased community awareness, increased private, business, and public financial contributions, and improved workplace support for children and families. Staff understands from follow -up with Michele Rivest and Nancy Coston that the final shape of the proposed task force, including recommended charge, composition, and staff support needs is (as of this writing) still in draft format. A meeting to iron out the details and bring forward a finished product is being organized by Rivest to include Commissioner Foushee, Russell, and Coston. BOCC Discussion and Direction to Staff: