Faculty Parental Wellness Program

MGB Parental Leave

• PWP one-page summary of BWPO/MGPO Parental Leave Policy
• MGB Leave of Absence Portal
  • The portal is personalized for the employee, which means monthly-paid MD/PhD employees on the BWPO/MGPO monthly payroll will see their specific policies. BWPO and MGPO benefit consultants are also familiar and can help clarify the pay policies that apply to the professional staff who are out on a leave.
  • Contact the BWPO Professional Staff Benefits Office: bwhprofstaffbene@partners.org
  • MGPO Professional Staff Benefits Office
• Health Care Provider form (complete and upload when requesting leave)
• Leave of Absence Checklist - Maternity Bonding

Other

• Parking and MBTA Tips when preparing for/returning from leave
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • FMLA & Maternity Leave
    
    • Working Mother – Preparing for Maternity Leave
    • The Mom Project – Returning from Maternity Leave Checklist

• EAP Lactation Resources (includes link to MGB lactation room locations)
• Kelly Mom
• EAP Parenting Webinars – Register for upcoming webinars or view recording of previous presentations
• MGB Lactation Room Access Request Form
• Emergency Lactation Supply Program
• MGH Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology Breastfeeding Resources
• MGH IHP Breastfeeding Support Group
• SimpliFed Virtual Lactation Services
• Lactation consultant visits and support classes can be reimbursed through Mass General Brigham Health Plan
• Low Milk Supply Foundation
• Milk Storage Info

• RVU Lactation Credit Program Resources
• Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
• This resource is helpful if you want to do a deeper, evidence-based dive into a single lactation topic.

• Pump Tutorials
• Willow Pump Tutorial
• Unimom Opera Pump Tutorial
• Spectra S9 Pump Tutorial
• Spectra S2 Pump Tutorial
• Medela Pump in Style with MaxFlow Tutorial
• Elvie Pump Tutorial

Have a new pump to suggest for a tutorial? Email us at parentalwellness@mgb.org.

• The Ammon-Pinizzotto Center for Women’s Mental Health at MGH
  • Open for consultations, and there’s usually a short wait (typically no longer than 2-3 weeks). 
    • Please note: they are not able to take on ongoing patient care, but rather provide an outpatient consultation service for non-urgent consultations for patients and their prescribers. To make an appt for a consultation, please call 617-724-7792.
  • Also offer Perinatal Mental Health CME/CE online courses at no cost to the MGH community of providers. Access here.
• MGB Mental Health Resources - both resource sheets below also include links for all MGB employees
  • For MGH Employees
  • For BWH Employees
• PWP Contacts for Mental Health at BWH/MGH
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Program
• Massachusetts Child Psychiatry Access Program for Moms: has resources for providers and patients, including help with referrals to providers.
• Women & Infants Day Hospital: a program in Providence, Rhode Island that some MGH patients greatly benefit from.
• Postpartum Depression
  • US. Dept. of HHS – Office on Women’s Health -Understanding Postpartum Depression
  • Postpartum Support International
    • Online support meetings
    • Helpline: 1-800-944-4773
  • Mass PPD Fund
• JFCS Support
  • In person/virtual groups for parents of infants
  • Visiting Moms Program (up to age 1)
  • Early Connections®/Conexiones Tempranas (EC/CT) Clinicians
• Resources from Bright Horizons

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• General New Parent Resources
  • KidsHealth - Advice on children's health, behavior, and growth – from before birth through the teen years
  • Pathways – Resources and Helpful Answers for Expecting and New Parents
  • Nurture by Naps – Total Support, from Pregnancy through Childhood
  • Tiny Beans – Online & App Resources for Expectant & New Parents
• Supports for New Dads
  • Fathers.com
  • City Dads
• Fun Things to do with Kids in New England
• Life Coach Vicki Hoefle
• Think:Kids Program - a Collaborative Problem Solving® (CPS) approach proven to reduce challenging behavior, teach kids the skills they lack, and build relationships with the adults in their lives.

Recommended Media about Parenting

• Fair Play - outlines a system for how to divide up household tasks fairly, based on your needs.
• Social Media and Adolescent Health
• Smartphones vs. Smart Kids
• How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen: A Survival Guide to Life with Children Ages 2-7

Support groups for parents at MGH

Monthly Online Discussion & Support Group for Moms: Monthly Zoom meetings that allow mothers to share and learn with their colleagues, no matter the age of their children. During each session, experts share information, leaving plenty of time for questions and discussion. Mothers are welcome to join and leave the session as their schedule allows. If you’re interested in joining a session, or receiving more information about the Mothers’ Group, please email Joan Sapir: jsapir@partners.org. 

Local parenting groups

GardenParents | Tinyhood - an online forum for parents that started out of the South End and now includes all of Boston and neighboring towns/cities.

South Boston Moms Club - a growing 400-member strong, non-profit organization passionate about supporting Southie and Seaport families and encouraging a strong sense of community. Only for parents with a South Boston/Seaport zipcode.

 

The Nanny Network: an email distribution list where MGB-affiliated faculty and trainees can recommend and view available nannies in the area and submit posts seeking childcare recommendations.

Childcare through Bright Horizons (MGB Benefit)

MGB employees can access center-based or in-home childcare managed by Bright Horizons. Go to this link and click “Join Today” at the top of the page. You will be prompted to create an account that will link to your MGB information and benefits.

MGB employees have access to the following (and more):

• Family Concierge Service: Free personalized and unlimited support to navigate your Bright Horizons childcare benefits.
• Center-Based Backup Care (well child): You can reserve care at the MGH Backup Center, BWH Backup Center or another more convenient participating Bright Horizons location.
• In-Home Backup Care (well or mildly ill child): You can request an in-home care provider as well. We have been told that care for a mildly ill child at home is harder to fill.
• 24/7 Bright Horizons Support for urgent needs.
• Webinars to learn more about your benefits and navigating parenthood (click here for the 2024 schedule).

• Parenting-related Benefits through MGB
  • Flexible spending accounts for medical expenses and dependent care
  • Financial Planning Program (for MGPO Professional Staff only)

• HMS Shore Awards

For MGH Faculty only

• Claflin Distinguished Scholar Awards
• Caring for Dependent(s) Travel Awards
  
• DOM Parental Research Scholar Awards (Medicine faculty only)

NIH-Related

• Childcare Support for NRSA Fellows

• Extend your ESI Status

• Application for Career Awards Supplement [may need to search for updated PA]

 

Upcoming Webinars

EAP Webinar: Working & Breastfeeding
April 23, 2024 at 12pm
Studies show that breastfeeding reduces health care costs, and also reduces the amount of time new parents miss from work. This 60 minute presentation will provide expectant and nursing employees with information on how to maintain breastfeeding when returning to work. Topics will include choosing a breast pump, storing breast milk, and employee lactation services. Presented by Sarah McNamara, IBCLC, CLE.

The Crucial C's and Family Meetings
May 7 and May 29, 2024 from 12-1pm
Join Professional Parent Educator Vicki Hoefle for a 2-part talk where she'll introduce concepts and strategies for building and maintaining a cooperative, engaging, and respectful environment for both adults and children, especially when challenging behaviors arise.

1. The first session on May 7 will focus on the first 2 Crucial C’s – Connection and Capable, and how they can be supported within the Family Meeting.

2. The second session on May 29 will focus on the second 2 Crucial C’s – Count and Courage, and how they can be supported within the Family Meeting.

Bright Horizons webinars to learn more about your benefits and navigating parenthood (click here for the 2024 schedule).

Recordings

Encouraging Independence in Kids

Dr. Elana Kagan explored questions about how parents can foster independence in their children and how to encourage them to take on certain responsibilities. Sponsored by the MGH Center for Faculty Development.

Managing (and Preventing) Anxiety & Depression in Our Children
Based on current research and over 30 years of clinical experience, Lynn Lyons talked about the common traps adults fall into and the key adjustments needed to prevent and help mental health challenges in our kids. Sponsored by the MGH Center for Faculty Development.

Looking Ahead to College Panel
Drs. Sue Slaugenhaupt, Bo Rueda, and Anne Levy shared their experiences with their children heading to college in the aim of creating a community of support and understanding, a safe space to discuss concerns, confusions, and questions. Sponsored by the MGH Center for Faculty Development.

 

• Meeting outline for birth parents
• Meeting outline for non-birth parents
• Form to submit PWA mentoring hours
• Recorded PWA Training