Your Rights
You are entitled to certain rights after suffering a pregnancy loss, neonatal loss, or failed fertility treatment.
You are entitled to certain rights after suffering a pregnancy loss, neonatal loss, or failed fertility treatment.
- Advocacy
We at Start Healing Together understand how difficult it can be to advocate for yourself when in the midst of grief and/or fertility treatments. We are here to provide support and guidance as you advocate for yourself. However, if you do not feel comfortable doing that, please allow us to be your voice and advocate on your behalf. We promise to keep all information confidential. We want to ensure that everyone receives the support they deserve.
- Individualized Plans for Educators/Employees
If you are returning to work after a pregnancy loss, we can create an individualized return-to-work plan to ensure that you are comfortable and supported.
If you are working while undergoing fertility treatments, we can create an individualized plan to ensure you are comfortable and supported.
For all plans, the goal is to create an environment that is knowledgeable, understanding, and accommodating. YOU are always meant to be put FIRST.
You can read some of Jackie's tips for returning to work after pregnancy loss here.
- Bereavement Days
Start Healing Together has bereavement leave contract language that is endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA) and the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). It argues that bereavement leave cover chemical pregnancy, molar pregnancy, ectopic pregnancy, miscarriage, TFMR, stillbirth, neonatal loss (infant loss), failed fertility treatment, and failed adoption.
If you are interested in bringing this contract language to your local association, inquiries can be directed to jackie@starthealingtogether.com and/or george@starthealingtogether.com.
- Inclusive Family Leave Language
Start Healing Together has inclusive family leave language that is endorsed by the New Jersey Education Association (NJEA). It argues that all types of families should be reflected in contract language, including LGBTQ+ families and those that undergo surrogacy, adoption, etc.
If you are interested in bringing this contract language to your local association, inquiries can be directed to jackie@starthealingtogether.com and/or george@starthealingtogether.com.
After a stillbirth or neonatal loss, you may be able to apply for FMLA. It is 12 weeks of unpaid leave. However, it can be taken intermittently at an agreed-upon schedule with your district.
After a stillbirth or neonatal loss, you may be able to use the above options. You may be eligible for Temporary Disability Insurance, but you will need to check with your school district to see if they opted into the state plan. The Family Leave Insurance may be available for a partner or spouse who is taking time off from work to care for the birthing parent recovering from delivery. Again, you will need to submit a claim to see if you qualify.
This information is available to anyone, regardless of workplace or labor union.
There are three webinars available concerning family building: Supporting Members through Pregnancy Loss, Helping Members Navigate the IVF Process, and Hearing our Members' Stories about Adoption and Fostering.
There are three webinars available concerning pregnancy, parental leave, and returning to work: Overview of Resources for Healthy Pregnancy, Birth, and Parental Mental Health; Access and Maximize Paid Leave Options to Care for Yourself, a Child, and/or a Loved One; Breastfeeding and Pumping Rights and Resources for Educators.
This Act sets for 20 weeks gestation meeting the mandatory threshold for death statistics in NJ. This means that 20 weeks gestation or later counts as a "child" in contractual language.
If your contract allows you bereavement leave for a "child," and you then have a loss at 20 weeks gestation or later, this statute allows you bereavement leave.
