Remember the days when they thought of an unexpected illness in the family was a scary yet seemingly remote possibility? If there’s one thing the COVID-19 pandemic has done, it’s to demonstrate that such emergencies — from an incapacitated parent to a seriously ill spouse or child — are far more than theoretical. Further, it’s demonstrated that a lot of families, particularly those of limited means, reside dangerously near a financial precipice. Leaving a job behind temporarily with unpaid leave, a benefit all Americans enjoy under a 1993 federal law, is one thing. Keeping a single parent and the rest of her family above water during an extended emergency is quite another. Even with relief checks, extended unemployment benefits and the like, the hardship has proven all too real.

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WDVM) — A bill in the Maryland General Assembly would allow employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave for medical reasons or to care for new children… Read More

When a family member gets ill, many Marylanders have to choose between caring for them or paying the bills…

Imagine you want to care for your seriously ill mother or your newborn baby or a loved one suffering from long-term effects of COVID-19. But because you work in a job without paid family leave, you must decide whether you will keep earning a living or quit work to do what you feel really matters in life – caring for a beloved family member. You feel anxious and worried about what to do and how to cope… Read more

Life brings challenges to all of us, and some can consume us. There will be times when we must care for the people we love the most, whether a spouse, a parent, a newborn or newly adopted child… Read More

ANNAPOLIS (WJZ) — Maryland State Del. Kris Valerrama said she knows what it’s like to be questioned for taking leave to care for her children and aging mother.

Although Del. Kris Valderrama left her previous employer several years ago, her emotions flow when she recalls her efforts to use sick and vacation leave to care for her late ailing mother when diagnosed with…

The U.S. is the only industrialized country on the planet with no paid family leave program.

Many parents in America don’t have any paid time to care for themselves or their loved ones.

Maryland Family Network has been advocating for children and families for 75 years.

Maryland has one thing that most states don’t: Paid sick leave.

What the U.S. needs as soon as possible is a paid sick leave mandate.

The Maryland bill would create an insurance pool to make that time off be taken with pay.

Del. Kris Valderrama recalled when her mother became diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.

As a small business owner, I believe it is important and financially smart to offer this benefit to my employees.

More than 40 million people provide uncompensated care for relatives every year.