A diverse network of state and national organizations is releasing a Valuing Families Agenda next week, offering solutions to many of the issues raised in a report to be issued on October 16 by Maria Shriver. “A Woman’s Nation Changes Everything” explores the ways that women’s entry into the workforce has transformed families, our economy and our entire society.

But as the report notes, workplaces, laws and public policies have not kept pace. The Valuing Families Agenda (familyvaluesatwork.org, nationalpartnership.org) details policy solutions that can remove many of the barriers that persist. These barriers include the fact that too many women and men are still forced to choose between supporting their families and caring for them.

The signers — representing women, labor, business, faith, children, aging and caregiver groups — support a new standard of paid sick days that will ensure that workers aren’t fired for being sick or caring for a sick family member. The Agenda also urges policymakers to make family leave accessible and affordable to everyone. And it notes that workers need greater control over their schedules in order to care for their loved ones.

“Women aren’t the only ones who have a stake in securing these changes,” said Ellen Bravo, executive director of the Family Values @ Work Consortium. “Men, families, businesses and the nation as a whole will all benefit.”

“The Shriver report does the nation a real service by raising critical issues that have a profound impact on families today,” said Debra L. Ness, president of the National Partnership for Women & Families. “We need solutions that will help America’s workplaces catch up with the realities described in this book.”

The Valuing Families Agenda, co-signed and supported by more than 40 organizations, will be released Tuesday, October 20 at an audio news conference.

AUDIO NEWS CONFERENCE TO DETAIL VALUING FAMILIES AGENDA

WHO: Debra Ness, National Partnership for Women & Families; Ellen Bravo, Family
Values @ Work Consortium; and Avis Jones-DeWeever, National Council of Negro
Women.

WHAT: Release of Valuing Families Agenda

WHEN: Tuesday, October 20, 12:30 p.m. EDT

How: Toll-Free Number: 888-455-2265 – Pass Code: “Agenda”

To reserve a spot, please call Nancy Bennett, (800) 834-1110

Media wanting a list of workers who can speak from personal experience about
needing paid sick days, affordable family leave or flexible schedules can contact Ellen
Bravo at bravo@uwm.edu. Media participating in the audio conference can ask
speakers about the same list.

An embargoed copy of the Valuing Families Agenda as well as a listing of the organizations supporting the Agenda is available here.