Florida employers will soon have a new way to demonstrate how they support working families. The Children's Movement of Florida and Thrive by Five Tampa Bay, a community collaborative at Community Foundation Tampa Bay, announced the launch of Business Champions for Florida Families, a statewide award that will recognize employers whose workplace policies help employees and their families thrive.
The announcement was made at the 2026 Family Friendly Business Awards in Tampa Bay yesterday, where 48 local employers were recognized for their commitment to supporting employees and caregivers.
The statewide initiative builds on the successful local awards program created by Thrive by Five Tampa Bay. What began as a regional effort will now give employers across Florida, from the Panhandle to the Keys, an opportunity to be recognized for workplace practices that help employees balance work and family responsibilities.
The expansion comes as employers grapple with the business consequences of challenges facing working families, including access to affordable, reliable child care. According to the Florida Chamber Foundation, child care challenges cost Florida’s economy an estimated $5.4 billion annually through lost wages, tax revenue, and recruitment and retention costs. Family friendly policies help to address these challenges and others, leading to lower absenteeism, increased productivity, and lower employee turnover.
"Supporting working families is not just a social issue. It is a workforce strategy,” said Madeleine K. Thakur, president and CEO of The Children’s Movement of Florida. “When parents have the support they need during their children’s earliest years, families are better positioned to thrive, and employers have a stronger foundation for recruiting and retaining talent. Business Champions for Florida Families gives us an opportunity to recognize employers who are leading the way and encourage more businesses to be part of the movement."
The award will recognize employers for policies and practices that support employees and caregivers, including flexible and predictable scheduling, paid family and medical leave, child care support, health and wellness benefits, and workplace accommodations. Workforce-supportive practices help businesses attract and retain talent, reduce turnover and absenteeism, and build a more engaged and stable workforce. Employers of all sizes are encouraged to participate, including those adopting meaningful practices that require little or no additional cost.
"Through Thrive by Five Tampa Bay, we have seen firsthand the value of recognizing employers that make their workplaces more supportive of families," said Marlene Spalten, CEO, Community Foundation Tampa Bay. "We are proud to see this Tampa Bay effort grow beyond our region and to partner with The Children’s Movement to help more Florida employers make a meaningful difference for working families."
“Through our work with businesses here in Tampa Bay, we have seen how recognizing family friendly practices can encourage other employers to think differently about supporting their employees,” said Whitney Fox, director of Thrive by Five Tampa Bay. “We are excited to see more businesses across Florida become part of that conversation and discover ways they can better support working families.”
Beyond recognition, The Children’s Movement of Florida will connect participating employers to a statewide network where business leaders can share practices, learn from peers, and contribute to conversations about the workplace policies and conditions Florida families need to thrive.
"Recognition is just the beginning," said Ric Banciella, director of business engagement at The Children's Movement of Florida. "By bringing business leaders together, we can share what works, encourage more family supportive practices, and help build a stronger workforce for Florida’s future."
The award application will open for employers across Florida in early 2027. Employers in the Tampa Bay region will continue to apply through Thrive by Five Tampa Bay, and will be recognized as Business Champions for Tampa Bay Families in addition to receiving statewide recognition as Business Champions for Florida Families.
For information about Business Champions for Florida Families, visit the statewide award website or contact Ric Banciella. Information about the local Business Champions awards is available at tb5tb.org.
About The Children's Movement of Florida
The Children's Movement of Florida is a nonprofit policy and advocacy organization focused on helping all children thrive in their first five years. The organization works across sectors, including early learning, health, and family support, to help ensure every child has the opportunity for a strong start. For more information, visit childrensmovementflorida.org.
About Thrive by Five Tampa Bay
Thrive by Five Tampa Bay is a community collaborative at Community Foundation Tampa Bay and a cross-sector network focused on early childhood in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. The collaborative brings together public, private, nonprofit, philanthropic and community partners to align work around the healthy development of children from birth through age five and the shared goal of kindergarten readiness. For more information, visit tb5tb.org.