The Business Work-Life Alliance is soliciting applications from Ventura County employers for a family-friendly award to be presented June 4.

"It recognizes employers who help employees by providing time and opportunity to be a fantastic parent and employee as part of a business plan and a forward-thinking corporate culture," said Rafaela Frausto, a spokeswoman for Child Development Resources of Ventura County, of the sixth annual event.

Her agency is one of the sponsors of the Work-Life Leadership Summit and Business Awards. Companies will be honored at a June 4 luncheon at Spanish Hills Country Club in Camarillo.

Employer applications must be submitted by May 1 and will be reviewed by a committee May 8. Applications are available at http://www.vcworklife.com or by calling Frausto at 485-7878, ext. 1354.

Some of the items that will be looked at are flexible hours, job sharing, child care support, and management training.

Last year, 21 employers were recognized. Ventura-based Patagonia received the Most Innovative Work-Life Practice Award in 2007. The company gave $2,500 to employees for hybrid car purchases and encouraged parents to take their children along when traveling on business.

Patagonia also provides child care by sending a caregiver with the family to accommodate the parent's out-of-town work schedule.

The Ojai Valley Inn and Spa received an award in recognition of providing weekend child care for its employees. The company contracted with an existing child care provider that normally closes on weekends. The spa subsidized the cost to make sure that the child care facility was financially successful enough to serve its employees' needs.

This year's keynote luncheon speaker is Manuel Pastor Jr., a professor of geography and American studies and ethnicity at the University of Southern California. He co-authored a book called "Regions That Work: How Cities and Suburbs Can Grow Together."

"There is significant increase with the differences in earning between the top and bottom workers, and little movement in the middle," said Pastor. "There are ways in which the business and community can work together with the right kind of job training programs.

"We have to improve healthcare for everyone. There is a move afoot at the state Capitol to create some kind of universal health insurance."

Pastor said he feels that new pressures might actually help to push these issues along that have been talked about for years. "There is a combined sense of urgency with the housing crisis, the cost of energy and job insecurity," he said. "There is a shared sense of insecurity, but I'm a hopeful guy."

Summit sponsors are Child Development Resources of Ventura County, Constructing Connections Task Force of Ventura County, First 5 Ventura County, Low Income Investment Fund, and Ventura County Economic Development Association.