Support for Spartans who are Caregivers: September 2022

three generations walking along a paved path

The WorkLife Office is a strong advocate of support for Spartans who are caregivers. We appreciate the struggles, we see the challenges, and we are here for you. Our work also includes several childcare and eldercare supports which President Stanley has listed as a top priority for the University in bullet 4, objective 2, faculty and staff success of the 2030 Strategic Plan.

We are emphasizing the importance of well-being and supportive workplace culture. The WorkLife Office is available to assist you, your colleagues, and your team with work and life concerns. We’ve compiled some great information, links, and checklists to help find childcare. Perhaps you already have a handle on childcare or adult dependent care, but just need assistance from time to time. Subsidized care options are available to stand in when you or your regular care provider have to step out.

Services Available to You

Care.com/msu: Find trusted care providers. MSU faculty, academic specialists, post-docs, staff, and student parents can get free access to search for childcare, eldercare, special needs care, tutoring help, private lessons, housekeeping, pet care, and more through this MSU Benefit (new employees may take up to one month to gain access). Learn about kids and parent resources and how to get free access to care.com/msu today.

Dependent care for children and adults: subsidized care options can help when a regular caregiver (including yourself) is unavailable. This benefit includes backup childcare and backup eldercare options.

Classes: lactation (breastfeeding) classes, infant care classes, caregiver affinity group sessions, and more are available to you on the WorkLife Calendar.

Consultationscontact the WorkLife Office about wellbeing, work, career, community, and family questions. Gather resources and get referral information based on your conversation.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): counseling services, articles, and courses are available to you.

Resources for parents and guardians: the WorkLife Office website consists of many resources including how to select a child care provider, courses for new caregivers, caregiver groups, lactation rooms, adoption, kinship care, and special needs resources.

Resources for caregivers of adult dependents: Whether or not they live in your home, you may be responsible for the health and financial affairs of a parent, grandparent, spouse, or domestic partner. View the list of resources and programs available to you.

Support for Families

The WorkLife office regularly hosts events for parents and caregivers. Be sure to view the WorkLife Calendar for upcoming opportunities.

The Family Email Listserv is a great way to connect with other parents and keep up to date about family-related events and information. 

The Adult Caregiver Employee Resource Group (including eldercare) is intended to virtually connect MSU faculty and staff who have caregiving responsibilities for adults and those navigating assisting a senior in their life with changing care needs. Meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of the month from noon to 1 p.m during the academic year. See the WorkLife Calendar for the next event. View the full year of programming.

The Family Employee Resource Group is a place for Spartans to connect on family-related topics with the goal of connecting, building community, and sharing best practices regarding raising or caregiving for children and support for caregivers. Meetings are held every second Tuesday of the month from noon to 1 p.m. during the academic year. See the WorkLife Calendar for the next event. View the full year of programming.

The Post Parental Leave Employee Resource Group focuses on employees who are returning to work after parental leave. After welcoming a new baby, the initial return to work period can be incredibly stressful emotionally, mentally, and physically for new parents and for their child. The Post Parental Leave ERG focuses on providing support and resources to this group of employees to ease their transition back to the workforce. The Post Parental Leave ERG meets twice per semester on the second Thursday of October, December, February, and April in the form of Zoom discussion-based sessions. See the WorkLife Calendar for the next event. View the full year of programming.

The MSU WorkLife Office provides presentations and workshops to colleges, departments, and units at MSU. If you are looking for a way to further provide some of these resources or information, or emphasize the tools we have to navigate stress and change, the WorkLife Office is here to help. We hope you reach out to us with questions or needs at worklife@msu.edu.

We are here for you,

The WorkLife Office
Michigan State University
Linton Hall, Suite 116 
479 West Circle
East Lansing, MI
48824
517-355-1528