Care
Wake Forest offers the following to help you care for yourself and others:
Child Care
KinderCare at Wake Forest University
(833) 905-3276 |hr.wfu.edu/kindercareatwfu
Wake Forest University has partnered with KinderCare Learning Companies for Employers to establish a third-party operated child care and early education center at the University Corporate Center. The center is now open t o WFU families.
Bright Horizons at Wake Forest Baptist Health
(336) 716-0300 |child-care-preschool.brighthorizons.com/nc/winstonsalem/wakeforest
Located on the AHWFB Bowman Gray Campus, this 5-Star Rated child care center offers priority enrollment for WFU employees. (Note: may have a waiting list)
Child Care Resource Center
(336) 245-4900 or (800) 937-7610 | childcareresourcecenter.org
The Child Care Resource Center learns your specific child care needs and then provides you with a list of child care options that meets all applicable state and local standards. Faculty and staff should identify themselves as a WFU employee to ensure you receive full benefits of this service.
WFU Caregiving Network
womenscenter.wfu.edu/wfu-caregiving-network
The Parent & Caregiver Affinity Resources Group and the Women’s Center created the WFU Caregiving Network to connect individuals who are looking for short-term child care with those who would like to provide that care.
Resources for Parents & Caregivers
Parental Leave – Staff (Policy)
- Up to eight weeks of base salary continuation.
- After initial eight weeks, eligible to utilize available Paid Time Off or Leave with no pay up to maximum amount allowable under FMLA.
- Email absence@wfu.edu to initiate your parental leave request.
Parental Leave – Faculty (Policy)
- Full salary and benefits will continue for one semester (the semester of leave from teaching and service duties should be taken during the semester when the birth or adoption takes place).
- Notify your Department Chair, Dean, and Human Resources if you plan to take parental leave.
The Medical plan provides the following benefits and services:
- Free breast pumps: Through Edgepark, Edwards Health Care Services, Pumping Essentials, or Sunmed Medical. Before placing your order, make sure the provider is still participating.
- Aetna Maternity Program: Get support throughout your pregnancy, along with postpartum resources once your baby is born. Nurses with maternity experience are here to answer questions and help guide you through your unique maternity journey.
- 24-Hour Nurse Line: Call 1.800.556.1555 (24 hours per day, 7 days a week) for questions related to pregnancy and newborn parenting.
- Infertility Care: Contact Aetna at 1.800.575.5999 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday) for in-network provider information.
- SimpliFed: Provides virtual breastfeeding and baby feeding support fully covered by your health plan from pregnancy to weaning. Aetna members can text BABY to 1.888.458.1364, visit simplifed.com, or call 1.888.458.1364 to schedule an appointment (available 7 days a week in English and Spanish).
Qualifying Event: The birth of a child is considered a qualifying event in which you may change your benefits (instructions). Within the first 30 days of your child’s birth, you will be able to add your child as a dependent to your healthcare premiums.
In partnership with The Women’s Center, the following resources are available to Parents and Caregivers in the Wake Forest campus community:
- Lactation Rooms: These clean, secure, and private spaces are available for nursing parents returning to work. Learn more on the Human Resources website.
- Parent & Caregivers Affinity Resource Group (ARG): This ARG supports WFU community members who identify as parents and caregivers through a monthly coffee hour/debrief space, quarterly gatherings, and a Google Group that shares institutional and local resources for parenting and caregiving. Visit the ARG webpage to learn more.
- Working Families Google Group: Moderated by The Women’s Center, this Google Group is a virtual space for colleagues with caregiving responsibilities to connect and share resources and support. Email womenscenter@wfu.edu to subscribe.
- WFU Parents & Caregivers Facebook Group: The purpose of this Facebook group is build a virtual community of parents and caregivers at WFU; to share challenges as well as resources; and to offer words (or memes!) of encouragement and support to one another.
- WFU Family Day: The Women’s Center partners annually with the Parent and Caregiver ARG, Office of Wellbeing, and Campus Recreation to host Family Day in the Sutton Center each Spring.
Elder Care
Counselors
You may contact a counselor Monday through Friday, as many times as needed, about any older adult you are assisting with care. All counselors are Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) certified.
Services
Identifying needs for loved ones
Locating resources for older adults living anywhere in the United States
Creating a comprehensive referral package, including profiles of services
Providing assistance with Medicare questions and choosing plans
Employee Assistance Program
Services
Assessment, referral, and follow-up services for:
Family and marital problems
Home financial concerns
Anxiety, grief, and depression
Alcohol/drug abuse
Confidential
Appointments and services are strictly confidential.
Eligibility:
Full-time faculty, staff, retirees, and their immediate families are eligible.
Health Care Support Program
Services
Health Care Support
Financial, Legal & Estate Support
Employee Assistance & Wellness
Secure Travel
Extended to Family
Your eligible family members (spouse, dependent children, parents, and parents-in-law) may also use these services.
Enrolling
There is no need to enroll; if you are a full-time faculty or staff member covered under the Basic Life Plan, you are automatically eligible.
2025 Benefits Guidebook
The 2025 Benefits Guidebook for Faculty and Staff outlines benefits specific to the Jan. 1 through Dec. 31, 2025, plan year. The information included in the guidebook is intended as a benefit summary only.
Wake Forest University Human Resources
P.O. Box 7424, Winston-Salem, NC 27109
askHR@wfu.edu | P 336.758.4700 | F 336.758.6127