Family Care Stipend Program
Program Goals
The office of the Dean for Faculty Development and Research has two family care stipend programs (formerly called Dependent Care Program) to support faculty. Our original program will continue support faculty for up to $450 of documented Family Care expenses (including care of children, aging parents, or other dependents) that results directly from professional development activity that requires travel away from Middlebury. The program is not designed to cover on-going dependent care expenses, but rather to address the additional burdens that flow from professional development activity, such as participation in conferences, travel for research, or visits with collaborators at other institutions.
Our newest program will support faculty for up to $300 of documented Family Care expenses (including care of children, aging parents, or other dependents) for professional activity that requires attendance on campus beyond normal work hours. The program is also not designed to cover on-going dependent care expenses, but rather to address the additional costs that may flow from attendance at professional activities, such as participating in Convocation, or attending dinners involving visiting speakers.
Faculty are eligible for the full amount of both programs. No application is required, though a request for payment may be denied if it doesn’t meet the guidelines.
Guidelines and Restrictions
Guidelines and restrictions for Faculty Professional Development Family Care Stipend, requiring travel away from Middlebury:
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The total sum for which an individual faculty member can receive during any single fiscal year is $450, from July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
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The program is intended to cover additional family care expenses. Examples of qualified expenses include:
- Cost of enrolling dependents in ‘day camps’ or organized childcare offered by professional conferences.
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Cost of babysitters or nannies
- Cost of extended/additional hours in a child’s regular day care center (e.g., child is normally enrolled for 3 days per week, but is increased to 5 days a week during a week in which a parent is attending a conference).
- Cost for elder care
The program will only cover direct payments for family care. It will not cover other costs associated with professional development activity, including (but not restricted to):
- Travel costs associated with bringing a child to a professional meeting
After the activity has occurred, faculty should submit expenses for payment of the Family Care Stipend. A receipt that clearly indicates the dates of service and the amount of the payment must accompany all requests. In the case of non-professional childcare (e.g., a high school student who is providing babysitting services), a handwritten receipt will suffice, but it must contain the name of the provider, the dates of service, and the amount received in payment.
The Family Care Stipend is taxable income.
Guidelines and restrictions for Faculty Professional Development Family Care Stipend for local professional activities:
- The new program will cover any family care expenses incurred, beginning July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024.
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The total sum for which an individual faculty member can receive during any single fiscal year is $300.
-
The program is intended to cover additional family care expenses. Examples of qualified expenses include:
- Cost of babysitters or nannies.
-
Cost of extended/additional hours in a child’s regular day care center (e.g., child is normally enrolled for 3 days per week, but is increased to 4 days a week during a week in which a parent is attending to additional professional activities on campus).
- Cost of elder care
After the activity has occurred, faculty should submit expenses for payment of the Family Care
Stipend, providing original receipts. A receipt that clearly indicates the dates of service and the amount of the payment must accompany all requests. In the case of non-professional childcare (e.g., a high school student who is providing babysitting services), a handwritten receipt will suffice, but it must contain the name of the provider, the dates of service, and the amount received in payment.
The Family Care Stipend is taxable income.
How to Access Stipend
After the activity has occurred, faculty should complete the Family Care Stipend form, making sure to include a receipt that clearly indicates the dates of service and the amount of payment. THIS RECEIPT WILL NOT BE PROCESSED THROUGH ORACLE. The DFDR office will work directly with payroll to process these stipends. As such, this expense will be taxed accordingly.