How do I reach the Family Programs team at JHU if I need help?
The JHU Family Support Services team is maintaining a list of up-to-date childcare resources during this crisis. You can reach them through the Benefits Service Center at 410-516-2000 or by email at Benefits@jhu.edu.
Are the JHU partner childcare centers staying open?
Governor Hogan issued an executive order requiring that all child care centers in Maryland be closed unless they are providing care for essential workers. The Johns Hopkins Child Care and Early Learning Center at East Baltimore, Weinberg Early Childhood Center, and Homewood Early Learning Center are open for essential workers only. Even if you are already enrolled, you must fill out an application to enroll during this emergency period.
My child’s school has closed but JHU is open, and I need childcare. What do I do?
You are expected to work your normal schedule and follow JHU’s normal leave policies. Work with your manager to determine whether your position is eligible and appropriate for Workplace Flexibility.
Please refer to the Sick and Safe Leave policy and JHU’s general Sick Leave policy. Also, FMLA entitles eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave in a 12-month period for specified family and medical reasons. For specific questions regarding leave, contact HR Business Services at 443-997-2157 or HRBusinessServices@jhu.edu.
There is state-supported school age and early childhood care available for hospital health care workers. Contact the Maryland Family Network, and a LOCATE specialist can refer you to child care providers who are accepting essential employees’ children. Request service in the LOCATE: Child Care Registration Form, or call 1-800-999-0120, option 2. The State of Maryland website has additional information.
Plus, JHU provides all employees with 20 days (through June 30, 2020) of backup care through Care.com. You also receive a free premium Care.com membership, which allows you to perform self-directed searches for a variety of caregiving needs. You must register through JHU’s portal at or call 855-781-1303.
JHU provides support programs for all employees and their families through mySupport. You can reach mySupport 24/7, 365 at 443-997-7000 or online. For online access, the username is JHU and the password is JHU.
Are nannies, elder care workers, and backup childcare providers considered essential workers?
Child care and other types of “residential services” are considered essential. This means that a nanny, babysitter, or other type of caretaker can travel from one house to another and from one jurisdiction to another. Maryland’s Office of Legal Counsel issued specific guidance stating that people taking care of children, seniors, or those with special needs can continue their work.
In this situation you are the employer for your caregiver. We suggest that you provide your caregiver with a letter to carry on public transportation or in the car. The suggested content for the letter is:
- The name and address of the employee.
- The name and address of the employer (your name and home address).
- The nature of the employee’s work.
- A brief statement of your work (attach your essential employee letter from Hopkins if you have one).
- A signature and contact information for yourself.
Please remember that you are the employer for in-home caregivers, even if they have been hired through an agency such as care.com. The State of Maryland website provides exact guidance.
Whether you’re having a baby, raising a child, or caring for an aging relative, we have resources for you, from lactation support, to adoption assistance, to help finding—and paying for—child care and eldercare.