caring for others

Taking care of children and/or elderly relatives during this time is a challenge.
Berkeley Lab and Be Well at Work have support groups and resources to help.

Parenting & Childcare

Through Berkeley Lab’s partnership with Bright Horizons, employees no longer have to miss work when their normal care arrangements are unavailable. Employees have access to a comprehensive national network of childcare centers and in-home providers for a child, adult, and elder back-up care needs. The service can be used up to 15 days per calendar year. Berkeley Lab employees are encouraged to register in advance. Registration is free and does not commit an employee to use the service.

For more information about program eligibility, costs, and registration, please see below, as well as navigating to the Bright Horizons Back-Up Care website.

A website for parents at Berkeley Lab that includes an overview of leave options, parenting resources, shelter-in-place resources, information about the Berkeley Lab Parent's Network and more.

Parenting Support Group (Be Well at Work)

Working from home, working without adequate or any childcare, distance learning, home schooling, college students at home, and being with your children 24/7 are only a few of the challenges parents face during COVID 19. Join Be Well at Work‘s parenting support group, Supporting Parents and Caregivers of Children. The group meetings will be topic based to provide a focus. The format will consist of a brief introduction to the topic by Leslie Bell, PhD, LCSW, BWAW Employee Assistance Counselor, and Karen Patchell, MA, BWAW Program Manager, followed by discussion and Q & A.

The group will meet virtually on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 11 am - 12 pm.

Elder care

Caregiver Support Group (Be Well at Work)

Join the Elder Care Program for Caregivers Connect. The group will meet 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. The format will consist of a brief introduction by Maureen Kelly, LCSW, BWAW Elder Care Counselor, with discussion and Q & A to follow. You are welcome to drop-in for any subject of interest.

Elder Care Program (Be Well at Work)

  • Free, confidential counseling, consultation, assessment, and referral to local and long-distance resources for Lab employees who are caring for or concerned about an elder or dependent adult.

  • Consultation for supervisors, managers and colleagues regarding faculty and staff who are experiencing stress and/or performance problems due to caregiving responsibilities.

  • Informative workshops and webinars.