Black River Falls, Wisconsin – Family Friendly Workplaces (FFW) recently announced the certification of Jackson County as a gold-level Family Friendly Workplace, marking a significant milestone in the county's commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment for its employees and their families.

"Jackson County is dedicated to creating an environment where our employees can thrive both personally and professionally," stated Cindy Altman, Jackson County Clerk/Administrative Coordinator. "Being recognized as a gold-level Family Friendly Workplace reflects our ongoing efforts to prioritize the well-being of our workforce and their families."

To achieve this certification, Jackson County underwent a comprehensive evaluation of its human resources policies and practices, with a focus on criteria such as healthcare, time off, flexible work arrangements, childcare, early childhood support, and more. As a certified employer, Jackson County can proudly display the Family Friendly Workplaces logo in its marketing and recruitment efforts and gain access to a wide range of valuable resources.

“Jackson County is leading the way as the first county government to become certified, and we are excited to welcome them into the family," said Neil Kline, Executive Director of Family Friendly Workplaces. “All employers, both public and private, face a challenging labor market and Jackson County’s effort to be an employer of choice is smart, and it’s good for kids."

Jackson County becomes the fifth employer in Jackson County to be certified under the affiliation between FFW and the Jackson County Child Care Network (JCCCN). As part of this affiliation, Jackson County is directing an annual conduit contribution to JCCCN to support their work addressing Jackson County’s child care shortage.

"We’re thrilled to collaborate with Jackson County and recognize their dedication to creating a workplace that values the needs of families and supports our childcare initiatives,” remarked Marianne Torkelson, Chair of the JCCCN.

Addressing the human resources challenge in western Wisconsin necessitates a strategic approach. The Family Friendly Workplaces Certification Program offers a roadmap for employers to compete for talent effectively while proactively addressing this long-term issue.

For more information about Family Friendly Workplaces and its certification program, please visit www.familyfriendlyworkplaces.org.

Marianne Torkelson received Jackson County’s conduit contribution on April 11th in Black River Falls.

From left to right are Gena Konze (Jackson County Interim Human Resource Director), Marianne Torkelson (Chair of the JCCCN), Jeffrey Amo (Jackson County Board Chair), and Cindy Altman (Jackson County Clerk/Administrative Coordinator).