The Iowa Economic Development Authority today announced a statewide program that would recognize employers with family-friendly policies with a “Best Place for Working Parents” designation. According to a release, Iowa is the first state to do so. The initiative was created by the Miles Foundation in Texas, which found that businesses that provided child care for their employees decreased job turnover by 60%. The designation is available to employers of all sizes who qualify through an online assessment. Policies reviewed for the designation would include paid health care, paid time off, paid parental leave, on-site child care, child care assistance, backup child care, flexible hours, remote work opportunities and lactation benefits. More information about the program can be found at the IEDA website. “This new designation provides an economic development lever as today’s workforce needs continue to evolve and Iowa works to attract the talent we need for our businesses to grow and our communities to thrive,” said Debi Durham, executive director of the IEDA and the Iowa Finance Authority. The initiative is part of a recommendation from the governor’s Child Care Task Force. See more Business Record coverage on task force recommendations by visiting the Fearless website.