{"674274":{"#nid":"674274","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Transitioning Child Care and Family Support Services at Georgia Tech ","body":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech strives to foster an environment that makes the Institute a great place to work by offering a child care program for faculty, staff, and students. Managed by Bright Horizons Family Solutions, the Institute\u2019s child care program is committed to providing a safe, nurturing environment that helps each child develop to his or her full potential.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn May, Georgia Tech\u2019s R. Kirk Landon Learning Center will officially close. This announcement was recently shared with all R. Kirk Landon families by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/students.gatech.edu\/\u0022\u003EStudent Engagement and Well-being\u2019s\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/campusservices.gatech.edu\/auxiliary_services\u0022\u003EAuxiliary Services\u003C\/a\u003E department. The decision came after consideration of a few key factors impacting Georgia Tech\u2019s child care services. Previously, the Institute operated two child care centers: the Children\u2019s Campus (TCC), situated in Family Housing at 10th and Home, and the R. Kirk Landon Learning Center, located a few blocks away in the Home Park neighborhood. Managed by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brighthorizons.com\/\u0022\u003EBright Horizons\u003C\/a\u003E, both centers offer a 10% tuition discount to Georgia Tech families.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESince the reopening of both centers after the pandemic, occupancy rates have not exceeded 67% at either location. Furthermore, while the centers are primarily intended to serve Georgia Tech employees and students, the percentage of campus families using these facilities dropped to less than 50% since the pandemic. One contributing factor to this decline in enrollment is the shift to hybrid work schedules, prompting employees to seek child care options closer to where they live.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ELower enrollment led to increased operational costs and inefficiencies; as a result, a consolidation of operations to enhance effectiveness was needed. The decision was made to retain TCC due to its on-campus location and modern facilities. Most Georgia Tech families at R. Kirk Landon will relocate their children to TCC. Bright Horizons is also equipped to accommodate children and teachers at one of their other nearby facilities.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAs a result of the consolidation, the Institute will be able to redirect resources to offer a new service for all benefits-eligible employees: Bright Horizons \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.brighthorizons.com\/family-solutions\/enhanced-family-supports\u0022\u003EEnhanced Family Supports\u003C\/a\u003E. This online platform provides access to discounted services that can support working parents.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EEnhanced Family Supports includes:\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EChild Care:\u003C\/strong\u003E Preferred enrollment at Bright Horizons centers, tuition discounts at partner facilities, and assistance in finding trained and screened nannies.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ESummer Camp and School Break Programs:\u003C\/strong\u003E Activities from performance arts to coding, provided by Steve \u0026amp; Kate\u2019s Camp.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EAcademic Support:\u003C\/strong\u003E Discounts for virtual and in-person tutoring services to support children\u0027s academic performance.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EA+ Enrichments:\u003C\/strong\u003E Programs focusing on coding and early childhood learning to boost STEM and literacy skills.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EElder Care Planning and Support:\u003C\/strong\u003E Caregiver search tools and one-on-one guidance from senior care experts.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\t\u003Cli\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEven More for Families:\u003C\/strong\u003E Search tools for sitters, pet care services, housekeeping assistance, and before- and after-school programs.\u003C\/li\u003E\r\n\u003C\/ul\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThis transition will provide new support services from trusted providers to Georgia Tech families facing diverse family challenges. This initiative also has the potential to contribute to employees\u2019 personal wellness and productivity in the workplace. As organizations strive to create supportive environments for their workforce, programs like Enhanced Family Supports emerge as a vital component in fostering employee satisfaction and retention. The new program will be available by July to all regular employees working 30 or more hours per week, with plans to extend the program to graduate students by September.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s R. Kirk Landon Learning Center will officially close in May.\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech\u2019s R. Kirk Landon Learning Center will officially close in May."}],"uid":"36350","created_gmt":"2024-04-19 13:15:59","changed_gmt":"2024-05-03 00:08:16","author":"smartin319","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","dateline":{"date":"2024-04-19T00:00:00-04:00","iso_date":"2024-04-19T00:00:00-04:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"673817":{"id":"673817","type":"image","title":"image001 4.11.34 PM.png","body":null,"created":"1713898440","gmt_created":"2024-04-23 18:54:00","changed":"1713898440","gmt_changed":"2024-04-23 18:54:00","alt":"child looking at a flower","file":{"fid":"257260","name":"image001 4.11.34 PM.png","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/23\/image001%204.11.34%20PM.png","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2024\/04\/23\/image001%204.11.34%20PM.png","mime":"image\/png","size":2534907,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2024\/04\/23\/image001%204.11.34%20PM.png?itok=-pFu98Pz"}}},"media_ids":["673817"],"groups":[{"id":"1294","name":"Auxiliary Services"},{"id":"494211","name":"BuzzCard"},{"id":"499601","name":"Campus Services"},{"id":"428961","name":"Health and Well-Being"},{"id":"503491","name":"Parking and Transportation Services"},{"id":"652360","name":"Student Engagement and Well-Being"},{"id":"648297","name":"Tech Dining"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"42911","name":"Education"},{"id":"129","name":"Institute and Campus"}],"keywords":[],"core_research_areas":[],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:michaela.carter@gatech.edu\u0022\u003EMichaela Carter\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/a\u003E\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n\r\n\u003Cp\u003ECommunications Officer II\u003C\/p\u003E\r\n","format":"limited_html"}],"email":[],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}