Links for First-Time Parents or Parents New to Duke

A child in your future?
Potential Parents  Duke HR site includes local resources for infertility, adoption, parental leave, prenatal classes, support groups
Triangle Birth Network of NC  A "grassroots organization dedicated to improving the quality of maternity services in the Triangle area"
DONA International An association of doulas, includes a directory of DONA member doulas by state

Going on leave to have/adopt a child?
Leave Page from Duke HR's Child and Family Benefits
Duke Paid Parental Leave Policy -- if you are the child's primary caregiver, you are entitled to 3 weeks of paid leave.
Duke Paid Parental Leave Request: Primary Caregiver Affidavit (and click the link under "Forms")
Duke Family and Medical Leave  Note: this is the fullest leave available (12 weeks unpaid, with continuation of group insurance, and guarantee that your job or its equivalent will be held for you), and Duke is required by Federal law to provide it.
Duke Maternity Leave   Note: This leave should be taken only if you do not qualify for Family and Medical Leave; it does not have the same guarantee of continued employment.
Duke Leave of Absence Request Form

Just had/adopted a child?
How to make changes in your Duke benefits or enroll a new family member
Breastfeeding Support: La Leche League
Postpartum Depression Depression After Delivery, Inc.:  a national non-profit
Counseling Services for Duke Employees
Take parenting or infant-child CPR classes at Duke's Teer House

Other community parenting resources:
Welcome Baby: Free newsletters, parenting classes, and more. 
Durham Mother's Club: Organizes playgroups and mother's nights out. 
Carolina Parent: Articles and classifieds.

Going back to work after having/adopting a child?
Duke's Lactation Rooms
Duke HR Flexible Work Options home page

Child Care Information
Duke HR Child Care Home
Child Care Services Association:  A non-profit group that can give advice on finding child care and keeps records of ratings.  They can be especially helpful in finding low-cost child care.  Has good advice for evaluating child care providers.
NC Division of Child Development:  Includes a feature to search for child care centers.  Has good advice for evaluating child care providers.
NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Accredited Program Search, limit by zip code, age of child, etc.  Also includes general info about child care. 
Duke Children's Campus: Note: waiting lists, especially for infants, are very long.  Make sure you pin down where you will fall on the waiting list, and when your child can realistically be placed, before signing up.
Duke Child Care Partnership: Lists local child care centers that have a special arrangement to give spots to Duke families.
Duke Care Connection: Includes listings of in-home daycares in Durham.  This page also has a list of links to numerous child care resources.
International House's Choosing Child Care: Includes general advice and a list of local centers.
Duke HR Nanny and Au Pair Information: Includes lists of local nanny agencies.
The Chronicle's Babysitting and Elder Care Guide: The caregivers are not evaluated by Duke in any way.
Place a classified ad in The Chronicle:  A good way to find student babysitters for part-time care.