Family Friendly Fund
The Family Friendly Fund was created by the new article, Caregivers Recognition and Support (Article 33) in the collective bargaining agreement. Reimbursements are available to cover expenses related to caregiving needs in two categories:
(1) “To mitigate the impacts of University travel, professional development, and other work-related activities.” Most commonly, these are costs associated with minors who must accompany a member attending a conference or conducting fieldwork, but they also include the costs of additional dependent care at home necessitated by the member’s professional travel.
(2) “To offset costs for those members with ongoing caregiving responsibilities that occasionally or unexpectedly interfere with work demands.” Such expenses may arise when a member is asked to assist with a university event in the evening or on the weekend, or when a member’s usual caregiving arrangements are disrupted (e.g., a daycare closure) and work responsibilities require alternative arrangements at additional cost.
How to apply?
To apply for these funds, simply complete this Family Friendly Fund application form and attach your receipts.
If you are in doubt about the eligibility of an expense for reimbursement, go ahead and submit your request. The review committee will do the screening.
Need more? Read our full contract language here:
Article 33. Section 5
(a) There is established a fund, the Family Friendly Fund, to support members of the AAUP with caregiving needs. Monies in this fund may be allocated to mitigate the impacts of University travel, professional development, and other work-related activities. Monies in this fund may also be available to offset costs for those members with ongoing caregiving responsibilities that occasionally or unexpectedly interfere with work demands. Members may apply to use the fund one or more times under a process established by AAUP with OAA, and with AAUP approving individual applications for use of the funds (subject to University processes such as payroll, etc.). Monies distributed to the employee are subject to taxation. Any unused portion of the Family Friendly Fund from FY 2022-2023 will be rolled over to FY 2023-2024. In this first year (FY 2022-2023) AAUP and theUniversity will monitor the number and types of requests received so as to inform future allocation of funds. The University will contribute to the fund as set forth in subparagraphs (b) and (c) immediately below.
(b) In FY 2022-2023, the University will contribute $115,000.00 to the Family Friendly Fund.
(c) In FY 2023-2024, the University will contribute $175,000.00 to the Family Friendly Fund.
Questions? Email us at aaup@psuaaup.net