UAB leadership is working to respond to challenges some university employees will face as K-12 school districts adopt hybrid teaching plans for the fall term. Distinct strategies and application processes have been devised for employees of UAB and UAB Medicine, according to work groups, for the nine-week period beginning Aug. 31.
In a survey conducted in July, nearly 1,000 UAB employees said they lacked resources for the care and education of their children that would enable them to perform their jobs this fall. Hybrid learning plans recently announced by metro-area K-12 schools add another wrinkle: Jefferson County and Birmingham City announced all instruction will be delivered remotely for the first nine weeks, and Hoover will alternate in-person days and offer remote instruction.
“UAB’s most important assets, now and always, are the people whose passion and dedication are essential to fulfilling our mission, and many of them have told us their most pressing concerns include the care, safety and education of their children,” said President Ray Watts. “Investing in solutions to help provide safe, flexible, supportive environments for their children is in the best interests of our employees and the university and the right thing to do while we navigate uncertain waters.”
Support for university employees in workgroups A and F
Since the pandemic began, UAB Human Resources has maintained a list of operating programs that serve children from birth through middle school, and it will continue to update this resource. You can review it online to find a center that meets your needs.
“Although UAB will not be able to address the specific challenges of every individual employee who has child-care needs, we are exploring options and emphasizing flexibility as we move into the fall semester.” |
Some employees with school-age children will have varying needs that require more creative solutions, said Emily Wykle, project director in the Office of the President. Wykle has worked with senior leadership and UAB’s Childcare Taskforce to devise and implement some short-term remedies while school districts assess and adapt their fall plans.
“Although UAB will not be able to address the specific challenges of every individual employee who has child-care needs, we are exploring options and emphasizing flexibility as we move into the fall semester,” Wykle said. “We will have plans to help those who have no alternatives, and then we’ll have a gradated plan to help others.”
UAB is allocating limited funding to support two options to provide short-term relief:
- UAB will subsidize up to 30 full time slots in The McWane Center Fall Learning Lab during the period Aug. 31-Oct. 30. This program to support virtual learning for children in grades K-6 will be offered 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. The reviewing committee will accept applications until Aug. 19, and these slots will be prioritized for employees with financial constraints who are required to work on-site. Cost to an employee ranges from $25-$75 per week, per child, for those whose salary ranges from $31,200-$75,000 annually. Complete an online application to be considered.
- UAB will establish a drop-in virtual learning hub in The Hilton at UAB for children of faculty and staff who may be required to work on campus periodically. The hub, expected to be operational by Sept. 1, will provide a supervised site that will enable several hundred children in grades K-8 to work independently on assignments while their parents teach, perform lab duties, etc. Parents will pay a nominal hourly fee to help defray operational expenses. Time slots of two to three hours must be reserved in advance, and parents are expected to provide devices and masks for their children. UAB’s Childcare Taskforce will provide guidance in establishing policies and procedures consistent with those implemented to ensure campuswide safety. Provide your contact information here.
“We are continuing to refine these proposals and will provide more detail as it becomes available in coming weeks,” Wykle said.
Employees also should work with managers to define alternative work schedules/assignments when possible. Other available avenues open to employees include considering an alternative work schedule, i.e. reduction to 32 hours per week, or a temporary leave of absence, if necessary.
Support for UAB Medicine employees in Workgroup C
UAB Medicine is offering options for its full-time employees who are primary caregivers for children in grades K-8. More detailed information and applications are posted on oneuabmedicine.org.
- UAB Medicine will subsidize a limited number of full-time slots in The McWane Center Fall Learning Lab for the period Aug. 31-Oct. 30. This program to support the virtual learning for children in grades K-6 will be offered 7:30 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Applications will be accepted through Aug. 18. Cost to an employee ranges from $25-$75 per week, per child, for those whose salary ranges from $31,200-$75,000 annually. Complete an online application to be considered.
- Based on availability of funding, subsidies may be provided for other approved programs for children in grades K-8. To use a program other than the McWane Center, complete this application.
Explore more resources for employees with child-care needs at uab.edu/humanresources.