Caregiving At MSU: A Timeline
A history of caregiving at MSU, with the introduction of the WorkLife Office in 2016!
1994
Child and Family Care Resources is established to assist all faculty, staff and students, and its first staff member is hired part-time
Subsidized Sick and Emergency Child Care service is provided by a Home Health Care Agency in the families’ home
1997
CCAMPIS grant from the US Department of Education is successfully applied for and received by Child and Family Care Resources. Named the “Spartan Kids” grant, the funds subsidized the cost of childcare for students. This funding is applied for every 4 years and was utilized through 2016, until the opening of the Student Parent Resource Center when they took over the grant
Mrs. B’s Daycare is included as a backup dependent childcare option for staff and faculty – drop-off center care only
2000
The inaugural “Things to do at MSU: An Activity Guide for Families” is published by Child and Family Care Resources and continues today
Five email listservs are created to support resource groups: Parents, Eldercare, Student Parents, Breastfeeding and Special Needs Kids
2004
Child and Family Care Resources celebrates its 10th anniversary and adopts a new name as the Family Resource Center
2007
The Family Resource Center releases its first “Work Life Guide” brochure, connecting faculty and staff to the breadth of resources available on campus and in the community
2016
The Family Resource Center and Women’s Resource Center incorporate into the WorkLife Office, promoting core focus to include Family, Workplace, Community, Newcomers and Career for faculty and staff only
To serve the needs of student parents, the Student Parent Resource Center is created
2018
After two years without the grant, the Student Parent Resource Center applies for and receives four years of the CCAMPIS childcare grant, utilized to support low-income student families at MSU
2020
The Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) names Michigan State University a “Gold” Level Awardee for being a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace
2022
The Caregiving Working Group commences its first meeting to begin discussing best practices and action steps to help Michigan State University progress as a nationally recognized leader in caregiving
1993
Cross vice-presidential, campus-wide research reveals a dire need for resources and support related to family and childcare
1995
Michigan State University becomes a founding member of the College and University Work-Life-Family Association (CUWFA), which provides leadership in facilitating the integration of work and study with family/personal life at institutions of higher learning
1998
The first full-time employee is hired by the Child and Family Care Resources, and thus begins additional services, including consultations and educational sessions related to aging and eldercare issues
2001
The Outstanding Supervisor Award is created to honor supervisors (nominated by their employees) for understanding their employees’ needs for flexible work schedules and dependent care support. Supervisors are recognized annually on National Bosses Day for their sensitivity and compassion for their employees’ lives at home
2006
Family Resource Center begins a Breastfeeding Support Program after a survey of parent faculty and staff finds there is a need for more supervisor support and lactation spaces. Until a university taskforce was created to legitimize the program, parents would have to contact the Family Resource Center directly as they weren’t given clearance to promote or advertise the rooms
2011
The MSU Family Helpers List has been mutually beneficial for a few years, with great success. MSU student profiles were posted so staff, faculty and community members could hire (criminally background checked) students to come into their homes to provide childcare, elder care, pet care, housesitting, etc.
Michigan State University becomes the first university to partner with Care.com, offering a hugely impactful benefit for all staff and faculty. MSU is known as the LEGACY university to partner with Care.com
2017
The Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) names Michigan State University a “Silver” Level Awardee for being a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace, an effort led by the WorkLife Office
2019
Beginning in July, backup dependent care resources expand state-wide through a WLO-led partnership with Kennedy Care, Kennedy Safe at Home, and Bailey Preschool & Childcare Center
A Childcare Taskforce, directed by the Provost and led by the WorkLife Office, is created to address unmet childcare needs of staff and faculty
2021
Two employee resource groups (for parenting/caregiving of children under 18, and adult caregivers) are created and launched by the WorkLife Office to strengthen the connection between parents and caregivers and provide targeted education and resources
1993
Cross vice-presidential, campus-wide research reveals a dire need for resources and support related to family and childcare
1994
Child and Family Care Resources is established to assist all faculty, staff and students, and its first staff member is hired part-time
Subsidized Sick and Emergency Child Care service is provided by a Home Health Care Agency in the families’ home
1995
Michigan State University becomes a founding member of the College and University Work-Life-Family Association (CUWFA), which provides leadership in facilitating the integration of work and study with family/personal life at institutions of higher learning
1997
CCAMPIS grant from the US Department of Education is successfully applied for and received by Child and Family Care Resources. Named the “Spartan Kids” grant, the funds subsidized the cost of childcare for students. This funding is applied for every 4 years and was utilized through 2016, until the opening of the Student Parent Resource Center when they took over the grant
Mrs. B’s Daycare is included as a backup dependent childcare option for staff and faculty – drop-off center care only
1998
The first full-time employee is hired by the Child and Family Care Resources, and thus begins additional services, including consultations and educational sessions related to aging and eldercare issues
2000
The inaugural “Things to do at MSU: An Activity Guide for Families” is published by Child and Family Care Resources and continues today
Five email listservs are created to support resource groups: Parents, Eldercare, Student Parents, Breastfeeding and Special Needs Kids
2001
The Outstanding Supervisor Award is created to honor supervisors (nominated by their employees) for understanding their employees’ needs for flexible work schedules and dependent care support. Supervisors are recognized annually on National Bosses Day for their sensitivity and compassion for their employees’ lives at home
2004
Child and Family Care Resources celebrates its 10th anniversary and adopts a new name as the Family Resource Center
2006
Family Resource Center begins a Breastfeeding Support Program after a survey of parent faculty and staff finds there is a need for more supervisor support and lactation spaces. Until a university taskforce was created to legitimize the program, parents would have to contact the Family Resource Center directly as they weren’t given clearance to promote or advertise the rooms
2007
The Family Resource Center releases its first “Work Life Guide” brochure, connecting faculty and staff to the breadth of resources available on campus and in the community
2011
The MSU Family Helpers List has been mutually beneficial for a few years, with great success. MSU student profiles were posted so staff, faculty and community members could hire (criminally background checked) students to come into their homes to provide childcare, elder care, pet care, housesitting, etc.
Michigan State University becomes the first university to partner with Care.com, offering a hugely impactful benefit for all staff and faculty. MSU is known as the LEGACY university to partner with Care.com
2016
The Family Resource Center and Women’s Resource Center incorporate into the WorkLife Office, promoting core focus to include Family, Workplace, Community, Newcomers and Career for faculty and staff only
To serve the needs of student parents, the Student Parent Resource Center is created
2017
The Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) names Michigan State University a “Silver” Level Awardee for being a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace, an effort led by the WorkLife Office
2018
After two years without the grant, the Student Parent Resource Center applies for and receives four years of the CCAMPIS childcare grant, utilized to support low-income student families at MSU
2019
Beginning in July, backup dependent care resources expand state-wide through a WLO-led partnership with Kennedy Care, Kennedy Safe at Home, and Bailey Preschool & Childcare Center
A Childcare Taskforce, directed by the Provost and led by the WorkLife Office, is created to address unmet childcare needs of staff and faculty
2020
The Michigan Breastfeeding Network (MIBFN) names Michigan State University a “Gold” Level Awardee for being a Breastfeeding-Friendly Workplace
2021
Two employee resource groups (for parenting/caregiving of children under 18, and adult caregivers) are created and launched by the WorkLife Office to strengthen the connection between parents and caregivers and provide targeted education and resources
2022
The Caregiving Working Group commences its first meeting to begin discussing best practices and action steps to help Michigan State University progress as a nationally recognized leader in caregiving
Special thanks to Lori Strom, Barbara Roberts, Kim Steed-Page, Jaimie Hutchison and MSU Archives for their contributions to this timeline. Compiled by Dani DuBay.
