Returning from Leave

• Bright Horizons allows back-up care services for children, adults, and elders when their regular care plan is disrupted. There is a copayment for this service and maximum number of days available per year.  Please refer to their website for full details.
  
• Note: these are not recommendations or endorsements of specific companies.

• Family Resources Office may be helpful in identifying available childcare providers and offers resources to help you appropriately assess these providers based on your needs.
• Boston University Children’s Center located at 10 Lenox Street in Brookline, MA. This center typically has a wait list so it is advised to contact them as soon as you know you may be in need of childcare.
• Little Sprouts Early Education and Childcare located at BUMC (815 Albany St), this facility is open to children of faculty, staff and graduate students. Part-time and full-time programs are available.
• Pine Village Preschool is a Spanish immersion school located at 700 Harrison Ave. Part-time and full-time programs are available.
• Note: these are not recommendations or endorsements of specific companies.

• BUMC Lactation Support There are several lactation rooms for nursing parents located throughout the campus.
• Baby Café’s
  The Baby Café is a free, weekly breastfeeding support group to receive help from an Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) and volunteer lactation peer counselors.

• Do you need a quiet place to pray, reflect, or simply take a break from the busyness of campus life? The Prayer and Meditation Room is now open! For students, staff and faculty, this space offers a welcoming environment for personal meditation, prayer or quiet contemplation.

  Located in the Housman Bldg, 10^th floor, Room R1018A (last door on the right when walking from the elevators), the room is open 24/7. The room’s features currently include adjustable lighting, prayer rugs and a meditation cushion. No matter your faith or background, this space is here for you. Please direct questions, comments and suggestions for improvements to Kate Flewelling.

  Other prayer and meditation spaces available on the Medical Campus:

  • Talbot Building, 715 Albany St., Room 119A West
  • Crosstown Building, 801 Albany St., 4^th Floor, Suite 431, Room 447 
  • Evans Biomedical Research Center, 650 Albany St., Room 714
  • Housman Building, enter through 72 E. Concord St., Room R107 – available Fridays only from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
  • Goldman School of Dental Medicine 635 Albany St., 2^nd Floor, Room 226 and 7^th floor, Room 726 – to access these spaces, enter the building at 100 E. Newton St. (the GSDM faculty/staff/student) entrance. Take ramp to the elevators (#4 or #5) at the bottom of ramp. Take the elevator to the 2^nd floor or 7^th floor. When you get off the elevator, take a left and then a right down the hallway.

Refer to the BUMG Resource Guide for information on the following topics

• Understanding parental leave
• Adoptive parent resources
• Benefits & resources before and after your child arrives
• Lactation resources
• Childcare resources
• Wellbeing benefits
• Mental health resources
• Emergencies resources
• Tips for BUMG faculty taking PFML leave

If you ever feel overwhelmed or need support, mental health resources are available to help you navigate the adjustment of being a new parent/caregiver and returning to work. The Faculty Staff Assistance Office (FSAO) may be able to help or connect to resources. They offer free and confidential short-term counseling, referrals for mental health and substance use treatment, resources to promote well-being, and more.

Additional FSAO Programs

• Free Headspace membership
• Mental Health Self Assessment Boston University offers an online self-assessment service to help you evaluate whether you might have a mental health condition and could benefit from professional help.  The anonymous screenings provide confidential computer-generated results and recommendations including resources for support and assistance.