Adoption/Foster Care
Congratulations on the new addition to your family! In addition to this page, you may also view the printable Parental Care Guidebook (PDF) for more helpful parenting information. There are a few things you should consider before your adopted or foster child arrives:
Benefits
Adopting a child, and becoming a foster parent are both "qualifying status changes" in terms of your benefits. That means you may change your benefit enrollment without having to wait until the annual open enrollment period. Contact the Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center for assistance with any benefit elections.
Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
If you will be be adding a child to your health benefits, you will need to complete and submit a Health Plan Election Form within 31 days of the adoption or foster care placement. Please note that your paperwork must include the official event date. Documentation will be required.Life Insurance
You may want to consider purchasing Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance (VGTLI) or Dependent Group Term Life Insurance (DGLI) for your spouse and child or changing the amount of life insurance that you currently purchase for yourself. You can download a DGLI Enrollment form or VGTLI Application from this site.
Flexible Spending Account
You may elect to participate in or change the amount you contribute to your Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) by submitting a FSA Qualifying Event Election Form.Child Care Program
The Ohio State University Child Care Program is available to dependents (ages 6 weeks through kindergarten) of Ohio State faculty and staff. There is usually a waiting list for placement in the program, so you may want to contact the program prior to your child's birth or placement in your home.
Adoption Assistance
Faculty/staff eligible to participate in a university-sponsored medical plan are eligible for Adoption Assistance. If you adopt a child, the university will reimburse up to $5,000 per child. Use the Adoption Assistance Reimbursement Request Form to request reimbursement for eligible adoption-related expenses upon placement of a minor child in your home. Adoption benefits may carry tax implications - consult your tax advisor.
Leave Programs
For employees who hold a 75% or greater FTE and who have been employed by the university for one year:
If you have been employed by the university for one year and are in a regular 75% FTE position, you are eligible for Family and Medical Leave (FML) for the adoption of a child. FML provides eligible faculty and staff with up to 12 work weeks (480 hours) of leave during the 12 month period after your baby is adopted. Adoptive mothers, fathers and domestic partners may take a paid parental leave of three weeks at full pay. The leave must be used within one year of the adoption of the child and is used in conjunction with FML to the extent possible. Adoptive mothers may be eligible to use sick leave, vacation, compensatory time, and leave without pay for the remainder of the FML. Adoptive fathers and adoptive parents may be eligible to use vacation, compensatory time or leave without pay for the remainder of the FML. Use of vacation leave or comp time is at the discretion of the employee and subject to departmental approval. See Policy 6.27B - Paid Leave Programs: Parental Leave for more information.
For employees who DO NOT hold a position of 75% or greater FTE and who have been employed by the university for one year:
If you have been employed by the university for one year, and have worked 1040 hours in the past 12 months, you are eligible for Family and Medical Leave (FML) for the adoption of your child. FML provides eligible adoptive/foster parents and declared domestic partners (Affidavit of Domestic Partnership required) with up to 12 work weeks (480 hours) of leave during the 12 month period after your baby or child is adopted or placed in your home. You may take up to 10 working days of paid sick leave. If sick leave balances are insufficient, FML may also be taken as leave without pay, vacation time, or compensatory time. Use of vacation leave or comp time is at the discretion of the employee and subject to departmental approval. Your health benefits will be maintained during your leave.
To apply for FML, first make sure you understand your benefits and responsibilities. You can review policies 6.05 (Family and Medical Leave), 6.27 (Paid Leave Programs), and 6.45 (Unpaid Leave) for detailed information or contact the Office of Human Resources, Organization and Human Resource Consulting, for consultation. Give your department verbal notice as soon as possible. Then, complete and submit an Application for Leave Form and a Medical Certification Statement for Leave Form to your department at least 30 days prior to when you want to take leave. See the Continuing Benefits While on Leave booklet for more information.
Leave for employees who have been employed for less than one year:
Refer to Paid Leave Policy 6.27.
Taxes
You may want to review your W-4 tax document so that you are claiming the correct deductions. Contact the Tax Office for more information.
Employee Assistance Program (UFSAP)
Adding a child to your family can be stressful in many ways. The University Faculty and Staff Assistance Program offers free, confidential, professional counseling and referral services to help you and your family with any issues that may arise.
Financial Planning
The university offers many resources to assist in financial planning for your child.
Financial Planning Series
The Office of Human Resources offers the Financial Planning Series - one hour courses designed to help you set and reach your financial goals. The sessions are FREE to all Ohio State faculty and staff and cover topics ranging from Developing an Investment Strategy, to Saving For Your Child's Education, to Organizing Your Records.Series EE Savings Bonds
You can also purchase Series EE Savings Bonds through payroll deduction in one installment or over several months. Series EE Savings Bonds are sold at half their face value and earn rates based on the market returns of 5-year treasury securities. They are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States and the income they earn is exempt from state and local income taxes. In addition, you may qualify for special tax benefits if you use Savings Bonds to save for your child's education. You can download a Savings Bond Authorization for Enrollment/Payroll Deduction from this site. Contact Payroll Services or visit the Payroll web site for more information.Educational Savings Plans
There are several educational savings plans available to parents. See the Education Savings Programs page on the Payroll web site for more information.
Social Security Number
If you need to apply for your baby's or child's Social Security number (SSN), remember to have both parents' Social Security numbers handy. You can apply for the SSN at a Social Security office. You will need to fill out an application, show at least two documents as evidence of your child's age, identity and citizenship, and show evidence of your identity. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration web site.
Contact Information
For more information on Human Resources-related issues, contact the Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center. Contact Organization and Human Resource Consulting with questions directly relating to Family and Medical Leave or any other policies.
NOTE: This is intended to be a summary of benefits, services and procedures. For full details, contact the Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center, refer to benefit plan booklets, or visit the Policy web site.
