Cisco to open child care hubs under #FirstRespondersFirst initiative

02 / 05 / 2020

By Marwa Nassar - -

Cisco will open child care hubs within the framework of supporting #FirstRespondersFirst, an initiative of Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Thrive Global, and the CAA Foundation.

The initiative takes a whole human approach to supporting first responder healthcare workers as they serve on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

#FirstRespondersFirst’s fundraising call to action helps provide essential protective equipment, accommodations, child care, food, mental health support, and other resources to this demographically and socially diverse workforce, ranging from minimum-wage hourly workers in home-care settings to social workers, nurses, physicians, and beyond.

As people are being asked to serve the public’s health by stepping back, frontline healthcare workers are being tasked with stepping forward.

This partnership will open four new special child care hubs to meet the needs of our first responders who need, first and foremost, to respond to the needs of their own young children.

Through #FirstRespondersFirst, Cisco is opening its San Jose HQ campus Building 25 Child Care Center, known as Cisco LifeConnections Children’s Learning Center, to the children of first responders, and is also funding three additional centers to open across the US.

The new Bright Horizons child care hubs will operate in Milpitas, California; Cary, North Carolina; Dallas, Texas; and Birmingham, Alabama, with special COVID-19 protocols in place, including limited capacity and small group sizes, enhanced teacher: child ratios, daily health checks for all staff and children on arrival, use of masks for staff, and intensive hygiene and cleaning practices.

The centers will be staffed with expertly trained and experienced local Bright Horizons early educators. Care will be available for all children, from infants up through 12 years old and will open beginning April 27. Care will be free for first responders.

“We are proud to support first responders for their bravery and dedication during this pandemic,” said Cisco Vice President of Human Resources Global Benefits, Ted Kezios. “By helping to provide a stable, dependable facility for their children during this trying time, we hope to reduce the stress for first responders.”

“Cisco’s support for first responders and their children recognizes the magnitude of both the physical and mental toll they are experiencing during this unprecedented time,” said Arianna Huffington, Founder and CEO of Thrive Global.

“Taking care of the children whose parents are at the forefront of the battle will provide first responders greater peace of mind and less stress so that they can continue taking care of others and saving lives.”

“Cisco has long understood the critical link between safe and nurturing child care and the ability of parents to be present and focused at work,” said Bright Horizons CEO Stephen Kramer.

“It is incredibly meaningful and moving to extend our partnership with Cisco in the service of the health care workers on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19. We are proud to have Cisco as a partner and a true leader in the mission to give first responders and their children the critical family support they need right now.”

The partnership with Cisco adds significantly to the first phase of the #FirstRespondersFirst Bright Horizons child care hubs.

Testimonials from first responders currently using the initial Bright Horizons child care hubs, located in Washington, D.C., Seattle and Detroit, emphasize the need for high-quality, safe, and nurturing care for the children of first responders, showing it is essential to give these fighters the family support they need to get to work and peace of mind to focus on their critical jobs.