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Annette Beuchler, president and chief executive officer of the Obici Healthcare Foundation, was recently named to The Virginia Early Childhood Foundation’s Back to Work Virginia: A Child Care Recovery and Renaissance Task Force. This state-wide group is composed of Virginia leaders in government, business, industry and philanthropy.

As with many other businesses, childcare was deeply changed by the COVID-19 crisis. In response, VECF assembled this task force to develop an assertive strategic plan with recommendations for structural shifts and improved policies and practices to stabilize and strengthen Virginia’s childcare industry.

The task force begins its work in May 2020 and concludes with recommendations by November 2020. Recommendations of the task force are expected to highlight strategies to adequately and sustainably fund early care and education, diversify and maximize financing, reconceptualize and strengthen business practices and models, and recognize the cost drivers of quality child care services as both a public and private good.

“It’s time to look at childcare from the ground up, ensuring that as families return to work, that the work of this task force supports a more resilient and strengthened childcare sector for Virginians,” Beuchler said.

The task force will be chaired by Stephen Moret, president and chief executive officer of Virginia Economic Development Partnership; Jim Dyke, senior advisor at McGuire Woods Consulting; and Dr. Deborah DiCroce, president and chief executive officer of Hampton Roads Community Foundation.

“Child care is a critical workforce facilitator and is essential to a healthy, functioning economy in Virginia,” said Stephen Moret.

The Obici Healthcare Foundation is a private foundation established in 2006 from the sale of Louise Obici Memorial Hospital to Sentara Healthcare. Since its inception the Foundation has awarded over $55.7 million in grant funding.

For more about the Obici Healthcare Foundation, visit www.obicihcf.org.