COVID-19 Staff Dependent Care Support

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Caregiver Support

Caregiver Connect Support Group (for Caregivers of Elders)

Join the Elder Care Program for Caregivers Connect. The group meets virtually on the first Tuesday of the month, and the third Friday of the month from 11 am -12 pm. These small group meetings will focus on a different topic each month. You are welcome to drop in for any subject of interest.  

Email kpatchell@berkeley.edu to register 

Support for Parents and Caregivers of Children

Join Be Well at Work for Parenting and Caregivers of Children Support. The group meets virtually on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month at 11 a.m.-noon. These small group meetings will focus on a different topic each month. You are welcome to drop in for any subject of interest.   

Be Well at Work Employee Assistance

Be Well at Work - Employee Assistance provides no-cost confidential counseling and referral for UC Berkeley faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and postdocs. Appointments are available by phone or video using a HIPAA-compliant platform. 

To schedule an appointment with an Employee Assistance counselor, please contact us at (510) 643-7754 or email employeeassistance@berkeley.edu

Be Well at Work Work/Life

Be Well at Work Work/Life delivers programs and services to support faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and postdocs, with integrating work and home life at any stage, while also promoting and advocating for policies and practices that encourage and reinforce UC Berkeley's values as a family-friendly campus. 


If you need parenting, familial, or financial wellness resources, please contact Karen Patchell at kpatchell@berkeley.edu.

Be Well at Work Elder Care Program

Be Well at Work - Elder Care Program offers confidential, free assistance to UC Berkeley faculty, staff, visiting scholars, and postdocs who are caring for or concerned about an elder or dependent adult. Appointments are available by phone or video using a HIPAA-compliant platform.

To schedule an appointment with an Elder Care counselor, please email employeeassistance@berkeley.edu

Dependent Care Needs

UC’s Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DepCare FSA)

UC’s Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (DepCare FSA) allows employees to set aside $5,000 ($2,500 if married and filing a separate income tax return) of pretax money each year for dependent care expenses. 

Read more on eligibility requirements  

Early Education Childhood Program (ECEP)

The ECEP is working under various new protocols and procedures to comply with health and safety guidelines. Due to this, class sizes have been significantly reduced and have resulted in less availability of care spaces for families. 

ECEP’s 2020-21 school year will commence with limited enrollment based on the enrollment priorities established by the University. 

They will continue to accept applications from new families for their waiting list, however, at this time they will not be able to provide care for any new families.  

SitterCity 

As part of the University of California's employee benefits program, employees have free access to Sittercity's extensive database of babysitters, nannies, elder companions, pet sitters, and housekeepers. 

The cost of membership is paid by the University. Employees pay only for the services of the caregivers they select. Visit the UC SitterCity site to activate your free membership.   

UC Breastfeeding Support Program

The Breastfeeding Support Program (BFSP) is coordinated by Be Well at Work Wellness for Faculty & Staff and serves staff, students, and their spouses/domestic partners, as well as employees at UCOP and LBNL who choose to continue breastfeeding after returning to work or school. 

The BFSP program includes: 

  • Lactation rooms on campus with Ameda hospital-grade breast pumps
  • Personal hygiene kit to use with hospital-grade pumps sold at cost
  • Breastfeeding classes facilitated by a certified lactation consultant

Email: breastfeeding@lists.berkeley.edu (link sends e-mail)  

Berkeley Parents Network (BPN)

Berkeley Parents Network is a site for Bay Area parents to seek advice, exchange information, and make parent connections.  

Academic & Workplace Support for Sexual Harassment/Sexual Violence/Domestic Violence/Intimate Partner Violence

 University of California Policy on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence

This Policy addresses the University’s responsibilities and procedures related to sexual violence, sexual harassment, retaliation, and other prohibited behavior as those terms are defined in this Policy (together, “Prohibited Conduct”) in order to ensure an equitable and inclusive education and employment environment. The Policy defines Prohibited Conduct and explains the administrative procedures the University uses to resolve reports of Prohibited Conduct. 

UC Berkeley Campus Resources for Survivors

Experiences of sexual harassment, stalking, sexual assault, and intimate partner/domestic violence can have wide-ranging effects, including impacts on academic and work life. Supportive measures are available to both employees and students, this includes assistance with academics, housing, and protected leave to seek care, protective orders, and more. 

For additional dependent care resources or questions, please contact Karen Patchell at kpatchell@berkeley.edu