CARLSBAD — The Carlsbad Economic Development Subcommittee advanced a certification program to formally recognize businesses that are family-friendly for parents, caregivers and young children. Mayor Pro Tem Priya Bhat-Patel, who created the Carlsbad Family-Friendly Certified Program, outlined the initiative and its benefits at the July 21 subcommittee meeting, where it was unanimously recommended by subcommittee members Bhat-Patel and Councilmember Kevin Shin. Under the Carlsbad Family-Friendly Certified Program, the chamber would manage the self-certification application process, oversee the production and distribution of window decals for certified businesses and carry out other administrative responsibilities, according to city documents. Businesses that opt into the Carlsbad Family-Friendly Certified Program would be ranked in one of four tiers. She said feedback, particularly from other mothers and parents, has been overwhelmingly supportive of the certification program.