Women’s Foundation Commends Kansas Supreme Court for Adopting Paid Parental Leave

TOPEKA – The Women’s Foundation today commended the Kansas Supreme Court for its decision to provide 1,600 employees of the judicial branch with up to six weeks of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. The move follows Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer’s executive order extending paid parental leave to more than 17,000 state workers.

“Paid leave is proven to have enormous benefits for both families and employers, so we commend the Kansas Supreme Court for adopting this smart, fiscally responsible policy for judicial branch employees,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “Our research has shown that paid leave is a win-win for families and employers — improving productivity, reducing turnover and lowering reliance on public assistance. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders on both sides of the aisle to ensure that all Kansans have the ability to take family and medical leave without taking a hit to their livelihoods.”

Expanding access to paid leave has been a top priority of the Women’s Foundation, which worked with policymakers in both Kansas and Missouri to provide research on the benefits of paid family and medical leave.

As a result, officials in Missouri expanded paid parental leave to employees of nearly every state agency while Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer signed an executive order providing paid parental leave to 17,000 state employees.

More information on the Women’s Foundation research into paid family and medical leave is available at: http://www.womens-foundation.org/paid-leave/

Why paid family and medical leave should be the defining issue of 2019

Two years ago, Maggie Ahrenbach and her husband were expecting their first child. An attorney in the State Attorney General’s office, Maggie was overjoyed, but she was also worried about being able to cobble together enough annual and sick leave to bond with her daughter without sacrificing her income. That changed in 2017 when the Missouri Governor and other statewide officeholders granted their employees six weeks of paid parental leave to bond with a newborn or adopted child.

“Instantly,” Maggie said, “a weight was lifted off my shoulders. I would not have to meticulously calculate how many hours I could afford to use for doctor appointments and ultrasounds. I could schedule appointments as I needed them and not have to worry whether I was going to be dipping into my maternity leave reserve.”

Last month, Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer followed suit, making Kansas the 15th state to provide paid parental leave to all or some of their workforce by signing an executive order extending the benefit to more than 17,000 Kansas state employees.

This progress is another indication that – more than two years since then-candidate Donald Trump added paid family leave to his presidential campaign platform – momentum continues to build around this family- and business-friendly policy.

As an organization that uses research to develop solutions that empower women and their families economically, we know paid family and medical leave is a clear win-win for women, families and our economy as a whole.

Our research has found that paid family leave programs prevent families from falling into poverty, reduce reliance on public assistance, help employers recruit and retain talented employees and increase worker productivity.

That’s why it’s frustrating that 88 percent of private sector employees lack access to paid family leave, and the U.S. remains the only industrialized country in the world without a nationwide paid leave program.

In 2019, state legislators will have another opportunity to make sure no parent has to choose between caring for a child and keeping their paycheck – by expanding paid family and medical leave statewide.

Here are five reasons why legislators should prioritize paid family and medical leave this year.

1. Stronger Families. First, there is strong evidence that paid family leave programs have a positive impact on the health and well-being of families – reducing infant mortality, increasing birth weight and improving rates of breastfeeding. At a Congressional hearing on the issue, Louisiana Republican Senator Bill Cassidy noted that mothers who take paid leave are 50 percent less likely to be readmitted to the hospital after giving birth.

2. Stronger Businesses. In 2014, the White House Council on Economic Advisors concluded that paid family and medical leave programs can improve long-term productivity by boosting recruitment, retention and employee motivation.

3. Reduced Reliance on Public Assistance. One study found women who take paid family leave are 39 percent less likely to receive public assistance or food stamps in the year following a child’s birth, compared to women who take no leave.

4. Immeasurable Benefits – for the Cost of a Cup of Coffee Per Week. Paid family and medical leave offers families an immeasurable sense of security and stability – for pennies per day. For example, an employee payroll contribution of 0.25 percent comes out to about the cost of a cup of coffee per week for the average worker.

5. Bipartisan Support. In today’s highly polarized political climate, paid family and medical leave is one of those rare issues that receives support from people on both sides of the partisan divide. According to Pew, 82 percent of Americans say mothers should have paid maternity leave, while nearly 70 percent support paid paternity leave.

Earlier this year, the President’s daughter and senior advisor Ivanka Trump wrote on FoxNews.com that “paid family leave is targeted government action with the right incentives – designed to increase the independence, health and dignity of our citizens.”

We couldn’t agree more.

This year, Missouri legislators have an opportunity to change lives and strengthen our economy by passing a statewide paid family and medical leave program that will benefit families and businesses alike.

A message all of the women election to leadership in the Missouri Legislature:

Ahead of Missouri Legislative session starting on January 9th, we want to give a shout out and good luck to all of the women elected to leadership!  

Senate

• Whip Sandy Crawford

• Treasurer Jeanie Riddle

• Minority Floor Leader Gina Walsh

• Assistant Minority Floor Leader Kiki Curls

• Minority Caucus Chair Karla May

• Minority Whip Jamilah Nasheed

House

• Caucus Chair Sonya Anderson

• Caucus Secretary Chris Dinkins

• Minority Floor Leader Crystal Quade

• Minority Caucus Secretary Barbara Washington

• Minority Caucus Policy Chair Sarah Unsicker

Changemaker Profile: Todd Richardson, Former Missouri House Speaker

The Women’s Foundation worked with former Missouri House Speaker Todd Richardson to provide paid parental leave to House employees, combat sexual harassment in the Capitol, and reduce burdensome occupational licensing barriers. 

Now the director of the MO Healthnet Division, Todd Richardson visited with us about what motivated him to run for office and why he hopes more women get involved in public service.

What made you decide to get involved in public service?

Our son was one year old when I decided to run for office. We are fortunate to live and work in the same community we grew up in - a community that gave us many wonderful opportunities. I ran for office to ensure those opportunities exist for future generations of Missourians.

What’s the biggest challenge or setback you’ve faced?

Public service, like many other things, demands a lot of energy and time. It is also incredibly rewarding. With two young children at home, the biggest challenge is to strike the balance between doing the job the way it needs to be done and not allowing work to consume everything.

What is your advice to others, especially women, who want to get involved in public service?

 Do it! More women are running for office than ever before, and they are winning. Despite this progress, there are still candidate recruitment challenges that both parties must focus on. I had the privilege to serve with some incredibly talented women, and their presence in the General Assembly has a tremendous impact on public policy in our state.

What’s your favorite thing about serving in your role?

 The most rewarding part of being in the General Assembly was the opportunity to directly help the people I served, whether that was advocating for their interests, listening to their concerns, or navigating government bureaucracy.

Who inspires you?

My father’s public service in the General Assembly inspires me. At a young age, I saw that good people in public office can make a difference in people’s lives. His example informed how I approached my time in office.

About Change Maker Profiles:

Our Change-Maker Profiles feature elected officials, civic leaders, and everyday citizens who are working for change in Missouri and Kansas.

Women’s Foundation Commends Bipartisan Deal to Combat Sexual Harassment in Congress

Update 12/13: Congress passed the legislation, sending the bill to the President’s desk.

KANSAS CITY – The Women’s Foundation today commended U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Amy Klobuchar on reports of a “bipartisan breakthrough” on legislation to combat sexual harassment in Congress.

“Sexual harassment is never acceptable – and as stewards of public trust, members of Congress should be held to the highest standards of ethical conduct,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “Missourians should be proud that their own Senator Roy Blunt has continued to work across the aisle to strengthen Congress’ outdated and woefully inadequate sexual harassment policies. We thank Senators Blunt and Klobuchar for their bipartisan persistence in addressing this issue, and the courageous women of the #MeToo movement for making their voices heard and ending the era of impunity once and for all.”

New Study Finds Co-Existing Conditions Increase Breast Cancer Mortality

KANSAS CITY – The Women’s Foundation today released a study showing that nearly half of Missouri women diagnosed with breast cancer from 2002 and 2012 also suffered from type 2 diabetes, essential hypertension, or cardiovascular disease – and that the presence of these diseases substantially increased their risk of dying from cancer.

The first-of-its-kind study – Understanding the Consequences of Co-Existing Medical Conditions Among Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer in Missouri – was commissioned by the Women’s Foundation with funding support from Missouri Foundation for Health and conducted by a team of population-based scientists and clinicians from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, and the University of Missouri, which is home to the Missouri Cancer Registry and Research Center.

“We’re committed to conducting high-impact research that helps address the pressing issues women face – and breast cancer is no exception,” said Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President & CEO. “About 1 in 8 women in the U.S. will develop invasive breast cancer, a deadly disease that has far-reaching effects on the well-being of women and their families. By shedding light on the impact of co-existing conditions on breast cancer mortality, we hope this research helps patients, providers, and policymakers improve the overall health of women with breast cancer – and ultimately save lives.”

The study drew from a data set that included 36,581 Missouri women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer between 2002 and 2012. Benefiting from a large sample and high-quality data representing the entire state over many years, the results indicate that women can reduce their risk of dying from cancer by maintaining good overall health throughout their lives.

“What was really groundbreaking about this study is the size and quality of data we were able to compile from the Missouri Cancer Registry. By building a data set that includes tens of thousands of breast cancer cases over a ten-year period, this study lays the foundation for additional research into the causes and risk factors for this and other cancers,” said Professor Kala Visvanathan MD, MHS, a Medical Oncologist and Cancer Epidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and Kimmel Cancer Center. “These results provide strong evidence that co-existing conditions such as CVD, diabetes and hypertension play a major role in the mortality of breast cancer patients in the state of Missouri.”

Key Findings:

• The three most prevalent non-cancer conditions identified at the time of breast cancer diagnosis were type 2 diabetes, essential hypertension, and CVD. Notably, 46% of women with breast cancer had at least one of the three co-existing conditions. The prevalence of these conditions was higher among African American women with over half of them having at least one.

• A higher percentage of women living in neighborhoods with >20% of the poverty level were burdened by 2 or more co-existing conditions (20.5%) compared to breast cancer patients living in neighborhoods with <5% of the national poverty level (11.1%).

• There were differences in mortality based on the presence of co-existing conditions by age, race, and poverty. African American women with CVD had a two-fold risk of all-cause mortality.

• Women living in large urban areas with all three co-existing conditions were more than three times more likely to die of any cause. Women with an increased poverty score also had higher mortality.

• Researchers found an increase in breast cancer-specific mortality among women with co-existing conditions, supporting the hypothesis that these conditions may also contribute to disease progression of their cancer. Specifically, women with two co-existing conditions had a 30% increase in breast cancer mortality and those with three co-existing conditions had a 57% increase in breast cancer mortality.

• Researchers found that the number of hospitalizations was a strong predictor of survival among breast cancer survivors with co-existing conditions. Women with all three co-existing conditions were more than three times more likely to ever be hospitalized compared to women without the conditions. Breast cancer patients with five or more hospitalizations had over a 300% increase in risk of death compared to those without hospitalizations.

Policy Implications

• These results provide strong evidence that co-existing conditions such as CVD, diabetes and hypertension play a major role in the mortality of breast cancer patients in the state of Missouri.

• Evaluation, treatment and monitoring of co-existing conditions at the time of breast cancer diagnosis has the potential to improve survival, particularly in vulnerable populations. This could have significant public health impact given the prevalence of breast cancer.

• Frequency of hospitalizations may be a good indicator of the impact of co-existing conditions among breast cancer survivors.

• The public health impact could be even greater through the implementation of approaches to reduce and control co-existing conditions in cancer-free women so if they are diagnosed with breast cancer they are more likely to survive.

An executive summary of the findings is online here.

The full report is available here.

Manuscript in progress.

The Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

Funding for this project was provided by Missouri Foundation for Health. The Foundation is a resource for the region, working with communities and nonprofits to generate and accelerate positive changes in health. As a catalyst for change, the Foundation improves the health of Missourians through a combination of partnership, experience, knowledge, and funding.

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Appointee Profile: Jean Wilms

Jean has been appointed to the Advisory Council on Aging, and is in experienced executive with provider and health care expertise.

Jean lives in Johnson County with her husband and four rescue dog and has worked in health care for most of her life. Her background includes work with health insurers, Medicare and Medicaid. But when she became a caregiver for family members, she gained a whole new perspective on the gaps for both seniors and the caregivers. She also discovered that there are services available for seniors but most didn’t know about them.

She hopes that both her work and first-hand experience will be of service to Kansan seniors.

Change-Maker Profile: Susan Wagle, Missouri State Senator

After reports of harassment surfaced in the Kansas Legislature, State Senator Susan Wagle reached out to the Women’s Foundation to evaluate their policies and make recommendations to improve the culture and combat sexual harassment in the Kansas Capitol.   

Senator Wagle, who was elected President of the Kansas Senate in 2013, talked to us about her experience in public office, the challenges she’s faced, and the leader who inspires her the most.

What made you decide to get involved in public service?

I first ran for public office when the Kansas Legislature changed the way they assessed property which resulted in Kansas taxes nearly doubling on a residency and tripling on commercial property. At the time, I was a small business owner with my husband Tom, and the increase in property taxes hurt us as a family and as business owners. I knew things were going down the wrong path in Topeka, so I thought the only way to make a change was to run for the Kansas House of Representatives.

What’s the biggest challenge or setback you’ve faced?

By far, the biggest challenge I’ve faced is a cancer diagnosis. Not only was I diagnosed with cancer during my service in the Legislature, three of my children have battled cancer as well. There is nothing more important to me than family, and helping my youngest son battle childhood leukemia and a relapse while also serving in a citizen legislature required flexibility from colleagues and every family member was engaged in the healing and treatment process. The only way I was able to get through those difficult times was with the support of family and prayer.

What is your advice to others, especially women, who want to get involved in public service?

My advice to those who want to get involved in public service is, do it. If you see something that you believe needs to be changed, then who better than yourself to make that change. We need strong, passionate, and dedicated people in public office. There are always a million excuses not to do something, but all you need is one good reason why. Being able to get up every day and fight for what I believe in has been one of the greatest blessings in my life and I hope any woman or man who has something to fight for, takes that chance.

Is there anything that has surprised you about public service?

I’m not sure if there is anything that has truly surprised me, but I would have to say the thing that amazes me the most is the variety of people you meet in this career. In public service you meet people from all different walks of life and you learn how decisions made or legislation truly impacts their everyday lives. I first came to Topeka to fight back against high taxes and increased regulations, but now I work to make Kansas a great state for every man, woman, and child. I have met so many amazing people throughout my time in the Legislature, and I hope to make our state a place that they are proud of, where opportunity grows, and families thrive.

What’s your favorite thing about serving in your role?

My favorite thing about serving in my role is the ability to work not only for my constituents but for all Kansans. I have loved raising my family in Kansas and I want to make sure that it is a great place for all our families and future generations.

How has your background shaped the way you serve your constituents?

I am a mother of seven, grandmother to 14 with one on the way, I am a small business owner with my husband, and a former teacher. I understand the struggles and the priorities we have as Kansans. I know first hand how we need to make Kansas an affordable and great place to raise a family or start a business. I know how important it is to have first-class public schools and jobs when students graduate. I ran for office to make Kansas a place where my sons and daughters would want to stay and raise a family. I believe that my background as a parent, business owner, educator, and taxpayer allow me to relate to each and every one of my constituents. I serve in my role to ensure that Kansas is constantly growing, thriving, and improving.

Have you had a mentor, or someone who inspired you?

I have had numerous mentors throughout my career in public service. If I had to choose one person who has inspired me the most, I would say Margaret Thatcher. I have always admired the Iron Lady and believe she is a wonderful role model for women in government. She was unwavering in her convictions during a time where it was rare for women to be in the workforce let alone leading a country. In 2006, I had the great honor to travel to England and present Lady Thatcher with the International Pioneer Award. No matter what your political beliefs are, Lady Thatcher is the epitome of female leadership. She broke through numerous glass ceilings and never lost sight of who she was, and that is why she will forever be the most inspiring leader in my eyes.  

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

As a woman, running for public office can be an extremely daunting task. We have so much to balance whether it be family, children, work, homelife, or whatever it may be, putting yourself out there can be very frightening. While it is no easy job, it is one of the most rewarding things I have done in my lifetime after raising my children. If you have a passion or a reason to run for office, don’t let anything get in your way. One thing I have learned in my 28 years in office is that hard work and dedication goes a long way.

About Change Maker Profiles:

Our Change-Maker Profiles feature elected officials, civic leaders, and everyday citizens who are working for change in Missouri and Kansas. They do not represent endorsements for candidates for political office or their public policy positions.

Mayor James, Women’s Foundation and SHRM Honor Three Kansas City Area Employers with National Award for Workplace Effectiveness

KANSAS CITY – Wendy Doyle, Women’s Foundation President and CEO, joined Kansas City Mayor Sly James and the Society for Human Resource Management of Greater Kansas City to present three area employers with the 2018 When Work Works Award for exemplary workplace practices.

The honorees – CBIZ Retirement Plan Services of Overland Park, the City of Merriam, KS and Travois – were recognized for offering services such as an onsite daycare, access to a caregiver database, flexible work arrangements, continued education opportunities, overall wellness programs and more to employees. The City of Merriam is the only city to receive the award this year.

“These area businesses are national models for creating effective, flexible work environments,” said Doyle. “Flexible workplaces not only benefit families and communities, but businesses as well – generating higher job satisfaction and lower turnover. As a proud When Work Works community partner, the Women’s Foundation is honored to be recognizing these forward-looking employers for strengthening families, communities and our economy.”

The prestigious When Work Works Award is part of SHRM’s When Work Works project, a national initiative that helps employers become more successful by transforming the way they view and adopt effective and flexible workplaces.

“As one of the first cities in the nation to provide paid parental leave to city employees, we’ve seen first-hand how flexible, family-friendly workplaces benefit employers and employees alike,” said Mayor James. “I’m extremely proud that our efforts here in Kansas City have led to changes in other cities on both sides of the state line and across the country. I commend those employers for putting employees and families first.”

The award is earned after a rigorous assessment that emphasizes the real-life experiences of employees and incorporates national benchmarks of employer practices from the National Study of Employers and the employee experiences from the National Study of the Changing Workforce. Two-thirds of an organization’s winning score is based on a survey of its employees.

Applicants are scored on six research-based ingredients of an effective workplace: opportunities for learning; a culture of trust; work-life fit; supervisor support for work success; autonomy; and satisfaction with earnings, benefits and opportunities for advancement — all factors associated with employee health, well-being and engagement.

“Congratulations to both Kansas and Missouri winners of the When Work Works Award,” said Lisa Horn, SHRM vice president, Congressional Affairs. “The winners found that cultivating a positive, caring workplace culture is vital for building a dynamic, engaged and committed workforce.”

The recipients of the 2018 When Work Works Award are:

CBIZ Retirement Plan Services of Overland Park, KS: Associates at CBIZ can flex their start and end times, compress workweeks and telecommute. CBIZ launched a multi-year program to ensure that leadership and policies were creating a positive workplace for associates. Since the launch, employee surveys reported a higher overall favorable rating, and the firm’s financial performance improved. CBIZ supports parents providing access to an online database of caregivers for children and elders and other resources.

City of Merriam, KS: The City of Merriam promotes and encourages a strong work-life fit, offering work-from-home and gradual return to work opportunities. Their culture supports overall wellness, allowing employees access to free workout facilities and a fitness specialist. The City provides quarterly city-wide luncheons hosted by each department and employee appreciation events. The tuition reimbursement program offers up to $2,500 each year in educational expenses.

Travois of Kansas City, MO: Travois’ business is helping their clients create good jobs in underserved communities and build beautiful homes for indigenous families. Travois wants the same for their employees: a warm, welcoming and dog-friendly office with a daycare for staff’s children, flexible schedules for growing families and to spend time with loved ones, generous benefits and a living wage to support themselves and their families.

Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.

When Work Works is a national initiative led by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) to help businesses of all sizes and types become more successful by transforming the way they view and adopt effective and flexible workplaces. When Work Works is one of the foremost providers of resources, rigorous research and best practices on workplace effectiveness and flexibility in the nation. The initiative administers the prestigious annual When Work Works Award, which recognizes exemplary employers for creating effective workplaces to increase business and employee success. Visit www.whenworkworks.org and follow us on Twitter @WhenWorkWorks.

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Governor Colyer Signs Executive Order Providing Paid Parental Leave to Kansas State Employees

The policy will give primary caregivers six weeks of paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child

TOPEKA – The Women’s Foundation today commended Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer for signing an executive order providing paid parental leave to Kansas state employees. Expanding access to paid leave has been a top priority of the Women’s Foundation, which worked with the Governor’s office to provide research on the benefits of paid family and medical leave.

“This is great news for state employees, and all Kansans who will benefit from a healthier, stronger and more productive state workforce,” said Wendy Doyle, President and CEO of the Women’s Foundation. “Over the past two years, the family-friendly policies we championed here in the heartland have helped spur a national movement towards paid family leave that is benefiting state employees from coast to coast. We commend Governor Colyer for taking this positive step, and look forward to continuing to promote equity and opportunity across the region.”

Under the policy, all state employees under the governor's jurisdiction will be eligible to receive paid parental leave following the birth or adoption of a child, with primary caregivers receiving six weeks and secondary caregivers receiving three weeks. Employees will receive 100 percent of their regular salary during their leave.

Over the past two years, the Women’s Foundation worked with Missouri officials to expand paid parental leave to employees of nearly every state agency. Women’s Foundation research, commissioned in partnership with the University of Missouri Institute of Public Policy, found that PFL programs prevent families from falling into poverty, reduce reliance on public assistance, recruit and retain talented employees, and increase worker productivity.

Kansas joins 14 states and the District of Columbia that provide paid parental leave to all or some of their workforce: Arkansas, California, Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, New York, Ohio, New Jersey, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Washington.

Women’s Foundation’s Paid Leave Policy Research Brief is available here.

Women’s Foundation promotes equity and opportunity for women of all ages, using research, philanthropy and policy solutions to make meaningful change. More information about the organization can be found at www.Womens-Foundation.org.