NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Just 12 percent of American workers are offered paid family leave through their employer, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics - while other developed countries offer as much as a year of leave to care for a child.

While that is shifting here among a handful of private- and public-sector employers, Kelly Johnson, spokeswoman for Attachment Parenting International, said there's a need to change the attitudes of the American workforce.

"There's such a stigma in the United States about taking that time off for any type of parental leave - whether it's male or female - and especially if it's a man taking time off," she said, "I feel like that is so frowned upon here."

Tennessee's parental-leave law gives eligible employees up to four months of unpaid leave for adoption, pregnancy, childbirth and nursing an infant, but they have to work for an employer with more than 100 employees.

October is Attachment Parenting Month, and Johnson said her organization is highlighting the importance of parental presence in the life of a young child. Increasing access to paid leave is part of their effort to enable parents to shape the life of their child and nurture the bond that will benefit them both as the child ages.

Beginning this year, federal employees were given the right to take six weeks of paid leave when they became parents. California, New Jersey and Rhode Island have paid family-leave programs.

According to the Center for Economic Policy Research, about 90 percent of California businesses say it either had a positive impact or none on profitability and helped reduce turnover. When employees are able to fulfill responsibilities at home, Johnson said, they are better able to do the same at work.

"I don't think businesses realize just how crucial that is," she said. "It makes for a healthier child. It makes for a happier family. There've been businesses that have found that it has actually increased their profitability."

Increasing access to paid leave is part of the effort to enable parents to shape the life of their child and nurture the bond that will benefit them both as the child ages.

The Center for Economic Policy research is online at cepr.net.


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Ahead of Mother's Day, one Kentucky middle-school student has received recognition for honoring his grandmother in a "Grandparent of the Year" essay contest sponsored by the Kentucky Retired Teachers Association and AARP Kentucky.

In his winning essay, P.J. Brock describes his grandmother Sue as "caring, kind, hardworking, selfless and loving."

Sue Beeler, 74, a retired teacher's aide, said she encourages all grandparents to nurture strong relationships with their grandchildren.

"You get closer to 'em," she said, "and the kids appreciate you more, and do stuff more for you when they grow up."

According to the group Kentucky Youth Advocates, 55,000 kids in the Commonwealth, or an estimated 6%, live with a relative that isn't their biological parent, and is often a grandparent. That's among the highest rates in the nation.

P.J. presented his essay to an audience of 300 retired educators at a ceremony in Louisville, and won a $500 award.

May is Older Americans Month, and P.J.'s mom, Ashley Beeler, said she's grateful Sue has been recognized for her dedication to her family. She noted that her mother stepped in to help raise P.J. during times of crisis, which helped strengthen the bond between grandson and grandmother.

"It was just a hard time," she said, "but, I mean, we've got past it now. We're doing good, the kids and I, and mom."

Nationwide, grandparent caregivers often face financial burdens, housing instability, food insecurity and mental-health struggles. One report by Generations United found about 31% of children growing up in grand-families live in poverty, compared with 18% of children living with parents. And nearly half of all grandparents raising grandchildren are no longer in the labor force.

As Ohio approaches National Foster Care Month in May, one family's journey highlights how therapeutic foster care can change lives.

A 12-year-old boy who was previously moved between multiple residential facilities found hope when a familiar face from his past stepped forward.

Gretchen Emch, adoption assessor for the Columbiana County Department of Job and Family Services, recalled how it began.

"She was actually a behavior specialist at his school; said that this young man reminded her of her younger brother," Emch recounted. "They connected very well, and she wanted to try and visit him and figure out what to do."

The behavior specialist and her husband became licensed treatment foster parents through Ohio's pilot program, which funds therapeutic care to keep children with trauma out of group settings and closer to community. Critics argued the program still needs more staffing and funding to meet statewide demand.

Patrick, the boy's foster father, advised anyone with a spark of interest in fostering to reach out to county organizations. He said their family has been guided and supported every step of the way and fostering has deeply enriched their lives.

"If you show any interest, they will help guide you through the entire process," Patrick explained. "It was super helpful. And honestly, it's a blessing having this new face in our home, this new life in our home and having to teach each other experiences and tell stories and this, that, and the other. It's been amazing."

The Treatment Foster Home Pilot, launched under Gov. DeWine, now funds 11 county collaboratives in Ohio.

Advocates said stories like this show what's possible but emphasized the state must ensure sustainable support if it hopes to recruit more families for youth with complex needs.


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At Thanksgiving, millions of Americans will see relatives who may be on the other side of the political divide for the first time since the election and experts have some tips for approaching the conversation.

Emma Nadler is a therapist, speaker and author of the book "The Unlikely Village of Eden." She suggested people consider what their overall goal is for the evening -- and the relationships -- and respond accordingly.

"When you feel yourself getting angry, frustrated, take a few seconds to consider, 'How do I honor my purpose here? What do I want to say next that brings me back to why I'm here at this holiday?'" Nadler recommended.

The group Braver Angels promotes civil political discussions. It suggested people focus on finding out where the other person is coming from, without putting him or her on the defensive, and try to find common ground before stating an opposing viewpoint.

Nadler added if the conversation takes a wrong turn, it is best to take a long pause, maybe pitch in with the dishes or take a walk rather than let things get nasty.

"Anyone can say and do things they regret," Nadler stressed. "It takes about at least 20 minutes of non-activating conversation to get back to your baseline regulation. So it's not two minutes."

Some families may choose to send out an email ahead of time to set the tone for the holiday, in hopes the Thanksgiving gathering will be about enjoying the time together, where people include and respect each other regardless of political viewpoints.


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