UNC Health Appalachian named Family Forward NC® Certified Employer 

UNC Health Appalachian has been named a Family Forward NC® Certified Employer by the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s Family Forward NC® initiative.

Launched in 2018, Family Forward NC® is an innovative initiative to improve children’s health and well-being and keep North Carolina’s businesses competitive. It is an employer-led change to increase access to research-based, family-friendly practices — big and small — that improve workplace productivity, recruitment and retention; grow a strong economy; and support children’s healthy development. To date, Family Forward NC® has engaged with more than 10,000 employers across North Carolina.

 A Family Forward NC® Employer Certification designates employers that offer policies and practices that support the health and well-being of working families and children. The certification looks at employer benefits like paid leave and wages, accommodations for pregnant and breastfeeding workers, child care supports, health and wellness benefits, and scheduling practices.

Family Forward NC® defines best-practice policies through:

• The North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation’s Pathways to Grade-Level Reading Measures of Success and Action Frameworks;

• Guidance from medical organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; and

• Guidance from our partners in early childhood organizations, including the Child Care Services Association, MomsRising, the North Carolina Breastfeeding Association, and others.

“Becoming a Family Forward NC Certified Employer reflects who we are and who we aspire to be. At UNC Health Appalachian, we know that when we support the well-being of our team members and their families, we strengthen our entire organization and the communities we serve. This certification affirms our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel valued, supported, and empowered to thrive—both at work and at home,” said Nathan Nipper, President and CEO of UNC Health Appalachian.

“Employers want to attract and retain the best employees, and they want those employees to be happy and healthy,” said Theresa Roedersheimer, Executive Director of the North Carolina EarlyChildhood Foundation.

 Yet the U.S. is facing a massive talent shortage that will result in a deficit of millions of workers by 2030, and a child care crisis, coupled with a lack of support like paid leave, means pregnant workers and working parents and caregivers—especially women—are disproportionately forced to change jobs or leave the workforce entirely or are unable to rejoin the workforce after giving birth.

For more information about our employee benefits and culture, visit www.unchealthappalachian.org/. For more information about Family Forward NC® and the Family Forward NC® Employer Certification, visit www.familyforwardnc.com