View Caregiving Resources as Faculty, Staff, Graduate Student or Postdoc
Northwestern offers a broad range of resources to support the caregiving needs of faculty, as they pursue excellence in research and teaching. Below are key resources and programs.
Taking care of your family
Family leave policies & benefits
- Faculty Family Leave Policy – Paid family leave for childbearing, adoption and childrearing for eligible faculty. See also Faculty Family Leave and Family Medical Leave Act FAQs.
- Family Care Leave – Unpaid FMLA leave for a serious health condition affecting a family member including spouse, parent, or child.
- Extension of the Probationary Period for Tenure-Track Faculty Policy – Extensions of the probationary period for birth, adoption, rearing of a child or other circumstances.
- FAQs on COVID-19 Tenure Clock Extensions
- Workplace Strategies – Learn about alternative work arrangement options.
Early childhood education, childcare and schools
- Finding Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Schools – Childcare resources, referral service, and links to local early childhood education and K-12 schools, and summer camps
- Paying for Childcare: Dependent Care Financial Assistance
- Childcare Fee Assistance – Fee assistance for eligible faculty to four community childcare centers
- Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account – Pre-tax contributions to pay for dependent care and Northwestern matching funds for eligible faculty.
- Dependent and Elder Care Professional Travel Grant – Taxable grant for qualified short-term dependent care expenses incurred when traveling to attend meetings, conferences, or other professional development opportunities.
- Backup & Drop-In Childcare – Center-based backup and drop-in childcare and reimbursement program for a sitter or center. Also, use the reimbursement to pay a sitter to attend an on-campus meeting or conference outside of regular childcare hours.
Adult & Senior Care Program – Access to expert senior care advisors, on-site caregiver support, and subsidized back-up care.
Adoption Assistance Reimbursement – Reimbursement of qualified adoption-related expenses for eligible faculty.
Tuition Benefits for higher education – For faculty and their dependent children and spouses.
Lactation Support – Locations and request for access.
Well-being: Managing stress and living a more healthful life
- Faculty Wellness Program – Assistance for full time faculty members who are experiencing difficulties in their professional or personal lives.
- Employee Assistance Program – A program for faculty and staff that provides a network of services, including short-term counseling.
- Northwestern Well-being Programs – Variety of programs, services, discounts and resources to support your physical, financial and emotional well-being.
Relocation resources for new faculty members
- Relocation Resources – Information about the Evanston and Chicago areas, local housing options, real estate agents, movers and financial services.
- Housing & Moving Resources – Access information about rentals and assistance buying a home, including short-term options.
- HERC – The Higher Education Recruitment Consortium (HERC) includes job search postings, tools and resources to assist dual career couples with their job search.
Northwestern offers a broad range of resources to support the caregiving needs of staff, as they support the mission of the University. Below are key resources, coordinated by Talent Development & Well-being, as well as other University partners. For more information, or to set up a one-on-one consultation, contact the Talent Development & Well-being team.
Taking care of your family
Family leave policies and benefits
- Leaves of Absence - Parental, Family, Maternity
- Maternity Leave Checklist
- Benefits Changes
- Schedule a New Parent Meeting with the Talent Development & Well-being team
Early childhood education, childcare and schools
- Finding Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Schools – Childcare resources, referral service, University-paid account with Care.com, and links to local early childhood education and K-12 schools, and summer camps
- Paying for Childcare – Center-based fee assistance, Backup Care Reimbursement Program, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Backup & Drop-In Childcare – Center based drop-in/back-up care and reimbursement program for a sitter or center. Also use the reimbursement to pay a sitter to attend an on-campus meeting or conference outside of regular childcare hours.
Senior & Adult Care Program – Access to expert senior care advisors, on-site caregiver support, and subsidized back-up care.
Adoption Assistance Reimbursement – Reimbursement of qualified adoption-related expenses for eligible staff.
Lactation Support – Locations and request for access.
Well-being: Managing stress and living a more healthful life
- Employee Assistance Program – A program for faculty and staff that provides a network of services, including short term counseling.
- Northwestern Well-being Programs – A variety of programs, services, discounts and resources to support your physical, financial and emotional well-being.
- Relocation Resources – Information about the Evanston and Chicago areas, local housing options, real estate agents, movers and financial services.
- Workplace Strategies – Subject matter expert consultations, tips for employees & managers, and considerations for putting together a flexible work arrangement.
The Talent Development & Well-being team, in partnership with The Graduate School and other University partners, offers a wide range of resources to support Northwestern students who are parents, as they navigate the competing demands of academic and family life. Please contact Angelica Viramontes, Dependent Care Specialist, with questions regarding relevant Northwestern resources, as well as to set up one-on-one consultation.
The Sexual Harassment Prevention Office offers additional information from regarding accommodations and resources for pregnant and parenting students, which can also be found on their website.
Taking care of your family
Family leave policies and benefits
- Schedule a New Parent Meeting with the Talent Development & Well-being team.
- Medical Leave of Absence
- Parental Leave of Absence
- General Leave of Absence
Early childhood education, childcare and schools
- Backup Care Reimbursement Program
- Childcare Fee Assistance
- TGS Student Childcare Grant
- TGS Dependent Care Professional Development Grant
Well-being: Managing stress and living a more healthful life
- Student Health & Wellness Overview
- Evanston Campus Student Health Services
- Chicago Campus Student Health Services
- Student Health Insurance
- Dependent Health Insurance
- CAPS
Additional TGS resources
Resources for international students
- Office of International Student and Scholar Services
- International Office- Visas for Family & Dependents
- International Spouses & Families
Northwestern offers a broad range of resources to support the caregiving needs of postdoctoral fellows, as they pursue research excellence. Below are key resources, coordinated by the Talent Development & Well-being team in conjunction with other University partners. For more information, or to set up a one-on-one consultation, contact the Talent Development & Well-being team.
Taking care of your family
Family leave policies and benefits
- Leaves of Absence - Parental, Family, Maternity
- Maternity Leave Checklist
- Benefits Changes
- Schedule a New Parent Meeting with the Talent Development & Well-being Office
Early childhood education, childcare and schools
- Finding Early Childhood Education, Childcare and Schools – Childcare resources, referral service, University-paid account with Care.com, and links to local early childhood education and K-12 schools, and summer camps
- Paying for Childcare – Center-based fee assistance, Backup Care Reimbursement Program, Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
- Backup & Drop-In Childcare – Center based drop-in/back-up care and reimbursement program for a sitter or center. Also use the reimbursement to pay a sitter to attend an on-campus meeting or conference outside of regular childcare hours.
Senior & Adult Care Program – Access to expert senior care advisors, on-site caregiver support, and subsidized back-up care.
Adoption Assistance Reimbursement – Reimbursement of qualified adoption-related expenses for eligible staff.
Lactation Support – Locations and request for access.
Well-being: Managing stress and living a more healthful life
- Employee Assistance Program – A program for faculty and staff that provides a network of services, including short term counseling.
- Northwestern Wellness Programs – A variety of programs, services, discounts and resources to support your physical, financial and emotional well-being.
Relocation Resources – Information about the Evanston and Chicago areas, local housing options, real estate agents, movers and financial services.
Workplace Strategies – Subject matter expert consultations, tips for employees & managers, and considerations for putting together a flexible work arrangement.