R’Club Child Care, Inc.

BY ART O’HARA, Executive Director, R’Club

ST. PETERSBURG – R’Club Child Care, Inc. is committed to having a diverse workforce that is reflective of our community and the clients we serve.  In order to provide quality childcare to our clients, we have ensured that the agency has a diverse management team, as well as a diverse Board of Directors.

R’Club mandates that all employees attend ongoing Diversity in the Workplace trainings provided by the Training Department.  As indicative of the changing social and cultural workforce, our agency represents several generations.  Per our employment handbook, our Equal Employment Opportunity policy states the following:

It is the policy of R’Club Child Care, Inc. to grant equal opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, creed, color, sex, religion, age, national origin, physical or mental handicap, disability, veteran’s status, marital status, sexual orientation or citizenship status or any other classification recognized under the law.

This policy applies to all areas of employment, including recruitment, hiring, training and development, promotion, transfer, termination, layoff, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and all other conditions and privileges of employment in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy has the total support of the Board of Directors, the Executive Director and the rest of the management team.

One of the core values that govern our development includes the following:

RESPECT – Our staff and volunteers shall respect and uphold the worth and dignity of all individuals and embrace the diversity we bring from life’s experiences.  We are committed to assuring that our workplace, programs and community participation advocates for and reinforces cultural competency, diversity and sensitivity, fair employment practices, teamwork and the uniqueness of individuals.

The Executive Director as well as the senior managers of R’Club realizes that it is imperative that a culture of inclusion exists within today’s workforce. As such, we encourage the opinions and suggestions from staff that creates a sense of value among our employees. Our Executive Director maintains an open door policy and is very accessible to any and all employees.  All senior managers also maintain an open door policy whereby all employees can express any concerns they may have.  We also have a male and a female representative to handle these concerns if warranted.   Employees found to be in violation of any of the agency’s policies are dealt with in a swift and equitable manner.

Founded in 1976, R’Club was the first and only before and after school child care provider in Pinellas County and has always maintained a strong commitment to high quality programs and diversity in the workplace.  Now providing services to upwards of 4,000 children daily in early childhood education centers, in-home early literacy programs, before and after school programs, and family childcare homes, R’Club is a leader in the field.  The organization’s mission statement’s four R’s represent its commitment to diversity and equality; Respect, Responsibility, Resourcefulness and Responsiveness to the needs of others.

The breakdown of the population we serve, the staff we employ, the clients currently enrolled and our governing board is as follows:

Population of Area Served

Total #             %White            %Black %Hispanic        %Other           %Female                  %Male

916,542               82%             10%           7%                       1%                           52%                        48%

Staff Currently Employed

Total #     %White     %Black   %Hispanic    %Other   %Female    %Male      %Disabled

395            34%           53%             9%                          4%         87%                       49%             0

Clients Currently Enrolled or Registered

Total #    %White     %Black   %Hispanic      %Other      %Female     %Male     %Disabled

3108          51%           24%     10%                 15%           51%             49%         7%

Governing Board

Total #    %White      %Black   %Hispanic        %Other            %Female         %Male

20               70%          30%             0                        0                                 50%            50%

The ages of our employees range from 18 to 81 with an average age of 39.