Life as a federal employee or fellow at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) is demanding, and balancing work with personal responsibilities, especially caregiving, can be challenging. When your regular child or adult/elder care arrangements fall through, it can disrupt your work and create significant stress. Fortunately, NIH understands these challenges and offers a valuable resource: the Back-Up Care program through Bright Horizons. You might be asking, “Can I Be In The Care Program Again?” The answer is likely yes, and this article will clarify how you can access and utilize this essential benefit.
What is the NIH Back-Up Care Program?
The NIH Back-Up Care program is a contracted service with Bright Horizons designed to provide temporary care solutions for NIH federal employees and fellows/trainees. It’s there to support you when your usual care arrangements are disrupted, ensuring you can remain productive at work while knowing your loved ones are cared for. This program isn’t about long-term care, but rather a safety net for those unexpected moments when your regular support system isn’t available.
This program is invaluable in various situations:
- Unexpected Caregiver Absences: When your regular caregiver, family member, or spouse is unexpectedly unavailable.
- Care Transition Periods: During the transition between different child or adult/elder care arrangements.
- School or Center Closures: When your child’s school or regular care center is unexpectedly closed.
- Mild Illness Support: When a child or adult/elder relative is mildly ill and needs care, but not sick enough for hospitalization.
- Self-Care Needs: Recognizing that caregivers also need support, the program even extends to self-care when you, the employee, require assistance.
NIH employees and fellows/trainees have access to a comprehensive suite of back-up care options:
- Center-Based Child Care: Care provided at a licensed Bright Horizons child care center.
- In-Home Child Care: Care provided in your home for children.
- In-Home Mildly Ill Child Care: Specialized in-home care for mildly ill children.
- In-Home Adult/Elder Care: Care provided in your home for adult or elderly relatives.
- Self-Care: Access to care services when the employee themselves needs support.
To better understand if back-up care can help you, consider watching this informative video:
Am I Eligible to Use the Back-Up Care Program Again?
If you are a NIH federal employee or a fellow/trainee, you are eligible to enroll in the Back-Up Care program. There’s no limit to how many times you can utilize the program as long as you remain within these categories of NIH personnel and adhere to the program guidelines. So, to directly answer “Can I be in the care program again?”, the answer is yes, as long as you maintain your eligible status with NIH. It is designed to be a recurring benefit for eligible individuals.
How to Register and Access Back-Up Care
Registration with Bright Horizons is a prerequisite before you can reserve care. This is a simple, one-time process that ensures you are in the system when you need to quickly arrange for care.
Easy Registration Steps:
- Visit the Bright Horizons website for NIH employees: https://clients.brighthorizons.com/nih
- Follow the first-time access instructions available here (NIH Access Only through VPN): First time access information for Bright Horizons
- You will need a valid NIH email address to complete the registration.
Registration is free and easy. Planning ahead is advisable, although you can reserve care up to the day you need it. Reservations can be made up to one month in advance.
Three Convenient Ways to Reserve Care:
- Online: Through the Bright Horizons website: https://clients.brighthorizons.com/nih
- By Phone: Call Bright Horizons at (877) 242-2737.
- Mobile App: Use the Bright Horizons Back-Up Care mobile app, available on the App Store and Google Play.
Understanding the Cost of Care
While the NIH subsidizes a significant portion of the cost, there are hourly fees associated with the Back-Up Care program. These fees are kept low to ensure accessibility for employees.
- In-Home Care (Children & Adults): $16.00 per hour for up to three individuals.
- Mildly-Ill Care (In-Home ONLY): $16.00 per hour for up to three children or adults.
- Self-Care: $16.00 per hour.
- Center-Based Child Care: $6.00 per hour per child.
Need More Information?
For more detailed information, refer to the NIH Back-up Care Program Flyer:
You can also consult the Frequently Asked Questions section for comprehensive answers to common queries: NIH Back-up Care Program Frequently Asked Questions.
For any additional questions or if you require further assistance, please contact the NIH Child and Family Programs team at 301-827-3250.
Take advantage of this valuable NIH benefit. Register for the Back-Up Care program today and gain peace of mind knowing you have a reliable solution when unexpected care needs arise. Share this information with your NIH colleagues to ensure everyone benefits from this fantastic program.
