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Office of Human Resources Benefits Services

Adoption/Legal Guardianship

Congratulations on the new addition to your family! In addition to this page, you may also view the printable Parental Care Guidebook (PDF) for more helpful parenting information. There are a few things you should consider before your child arrives:

Benefits
Adopting a child, and becoming a legal guardian are both "qualifying status changes" in terms of your benefits. That means you may change your benefit enrollment without having to wait until the annual open enrollment period. Contact the Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center for assistance with any benefit elections.

Medical, Dental, Vision Benefits
If you will be adding a child to your health benefits, you will need to enroll within 31 days of the adoption or guardianship placement. Please note that your paperwork must include the official event date. Documentation will be required.

Life Insurance
You may want to consider purchasing Voluntary Group Term Life Insurance (VGTLI) or Dependent Group Term Life Insurance (DGLI) for your spouse and child or changing the amount of life insurance that you currently purchase for yourself. Enroll within 31 days of the event.

Flexible Spending Account
You may elect to participate in or change the amount you contribute to your Health Care and/or Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) by enrolling or changing elections within 31 days of the event.

Child Care Program
The Ohio State University Child Care Program is available to dependents (ages 6 weeks through kindergarten) of Ohio State faculty and staff. There is usually a waiting list for placement in the program, so you may want to contact the program prior to your child's birth or placement in your home.

Adoption Assistance
Faculty/staff eligible to participate in a university-sponsored medical plan are eligible for Adoption Assistance. If you adopt a child, the university will reimburse up to $5,000 per child. Use the Adoption Assistance Reimbursement Request Form to request reimbursement for eligible adoption-related expenses upon placement of a minor child in your home. Adoption benefits may carry tax implications - consult your tax advisor.

Leave Programs

For employees who hold a 75% or greater FTE and who have been employed by the university for one year:

If you have been employed by the university for one year and are in a regular 75% FTE position, you are eligible for Family and Medical Leave (FML) for the adoption of a child. FML provides eligible faculty and staff with up to 12 work weeks (480 hours) of leave during the 12 month period after your baby is adopted. Adoptive mothers, fathers and domestic partners may take a paid parental leave of three weeks at full pay. The leave must be used within one year of the adoption of the child and is used in conjunction with FML to the extent possible. Adoptive mothers may be eligible to use sick leave, vacation, compensatory time, and leave without pay for the remainder of the FML. Adoptive fathers and adoptive parents may be eligible to use vacation, compensatory time or leave without pay for the remainder of the FML. Use of vacation leave or comp time is at the discretion of the employee and subject to departmental approval. See Policy 6.27B - Paid Leave Programs: Parental Leave for more information.

For employees who DO NOT hold a position of 75% or greater FTE and who have been employed by the university for one year:

If you have been employed by the university for one year, and have worked 1040 hours in the past 12 months, you are eligible for Family and Medical Leave (FML) for the adoption of your child. FML provides eligible adoptive/foster parents and declared domestic partners (Affidavit of Domestic Partnership required) with up to 12 work weeks (480 hours) of leave during the 12 month period after your baby or child is adopted or placed in your home. You may take up to 10 working days of paid sick leave. If sick leave balances are insufficient, FML may also be taken as leave without pay, vacation time, or compensatory time. Use of vacation leave or comp time is at the discretion of the employee and subject to departmental approval. Your health benefits will be maintained during your leave.

To apply for FML, first make sure you understand your benefits and responsibilities. You can review policies 6.05 (Family and Medical Leave), 6.27 (Paid Leave Programs), and 6.45 (Unpaid Leave) for detailed information or contact the Office of Human Resources. Give your department verbal notice as soon as possible. Then, complete and submit an Application for Leave Form and a Medical Certification Statement for Leave Form to your department at least 30 days prior to when you want to take leave. See the Continuing Benefits While on Leave booklet for more information.

Leave for employees who have been employed for less than one year:

Refer to Paid Leave Policy 6.27.

Taxes
You may want to review your W-4 tax document so that you are claiming the correct deductions. Contact the Tax Office for more information.

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Adding a child to your family can be stressful in many ways. The Ohio State Employee Assistance Program offers free, confidential, professional counseling and referral services to help you and your family with any issues that may arise.

Educational Savings Plans
There are several educational savings plans available to parents. See the Education Savings Programs page on the Payroll web site for more information.

Social Security Number
If you need to apply for your baby's or child's Social Security number (SSN), remember to have both parents' Social Security numbers handy. You can apply for the SSN at a Social Security office. You will need to fill out an application, show at least two documents as evidence of your child's age, identity and citizenship, and show evidence of your identity. All documents must be either originals or copies certified by the issuing agency. For more information, visit the Social Security Administration web site.

Contact Information
For more information on Human Resources-related issues, contact the Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center.

NOTE: This is intended to be a summary of benefits, services and procedures. For full details, contact the Office of Human Resources Customer Service Center, refer to benefit plan booklets, or visit the Policy web site.