Adoption Resources, Leave, & Benefits
Now What? Adoption Leave Checklist
Whether this is your first or fifth family addition you may be asking yourself—now what? Here’s a checklist to get started. More detail on each of these items can be found in this guide.
- Tell your manager and HR manager your exciting news.
- Plan your future time off.
- Request a copy of your child’s birth certificate for dependent verification.
- Sign your new addition up for Dot insurance within 30 days of their birth.
- Call Prudential no later than a week after your child’s placement to initiate your FMLA claim. You can also fill out an online form at on Prudential.com.
Dependent Enrollment
Adding Dependents to Dot Insurance and/or Life Insurance
Giving birth and adopting a child are life-changing events, meaning you can add the child to your Dot insurance. You have 30 days from the date of birth/adoption date to choose your options. To start:
- Log into Okta at dotfoods.okta.com
- Click the UKG icon
- Select Life Events from the drop down
- Click on life event record
- Follow the steps to add your family member(s) and submit
Dependent Verification
Once you’ve enrolled your new addition in the Dot Foods insurance plan, you’ll receive information regarding Dot’s dependent verification process from mydependents.com or through the mail. You will be required to verify that the new family member is a dependent. Please request a birth certificate promptly to ensure there isn’t a hold on your child’s insurance.
Childcare Costs & Dependent Care FSA
We understand that it can be expensive to pay someone to take care of your child while you work. To help with these expenses, employees are eligible to participate in a Dependent Care Spending Account Program. This program allows you to pay childcare expenses with pre-tax funds. Employees interested in this program can sign up through the benefit enrollment site following the birth or adoption of your child.
Dependent Care FSA money is available as it is taken out of your paycheck. You can request reimbursement throughout the year or in a lump sum. The maximum amount you can put into this account is $5,000 a year per family.
Adding Dependent Beneficiaries to 401(k)
To add your new addition as a beneficiary to your 401(k), you will need to log in to your Principal Financial account. To access your account, visit dotfoods.okta.com and select the Principal Financial (Retirement Plan) tile.
Using Your Health Savings Account (HSA)
If you are enrolled in Dot’s Orange or Green medical plan, make sure you’re contributing to your Health Savings Account (HSA). You can use it to pay for your medical expenses for pregnancy, delivery, and postpartum care. And once your little bundle arrives, you can use it to pay for their care as well.
Increasing Your HSA Amount
- To increase your HSA amount, visit dotfoods.com/UKG.
- Follow these work instructions to complete the increase.
Adoption Resources
Adoption Support Through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Dot’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) can provide resources and an information packet for individuals planning to adopt. You can reach them by calling 800-327-2251.
EAP Resources
- Adoption agencies and attorneys
- Adoption advocacy groups
- State and international adoption specialists
- Adoption subsidies
- Adoption support groups
- Non-traditional adoptions
- Step-parent adoption
- Foster care resources
Adoption Reimbursement
Dot will reimburse you up to $5,000 in eligible expenses per finalized adoption. You must provide a final decree that states paid legal fees to Dot’s corporate benefits manager. If a decree isn’t available, you will need to show proof you paid the bills. Dot will not reimburse nor provide paid time off for the adoption of stepchildren.
Family Benefits
New Parent Assistance Through EAP
Being a new parent can bring a lot of surprises—and a ton of questions—which is why Dot provides its employees with free parenting services through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). The EAP offers over-the-phone parenting consultations with professionals in childhood development, speech, language and education. Call 800-327-2251 for a parenting consultation.Health professionals provide
- Information on discipline, sleep issues, reinforcement strategies, toilet training, and temper tantrums
- Guidance in determining if overall behavior is typical for the child’s age and environment
- Assistance identifying the potential cause(s) of behavior patterns
- Simple, positive parenting strategies
- Information on developmental milestones such as language development, motor skills, sensory perception and feeding skills
- Guidance and resources to determine when school-age children may need an IEP
- Assistance in advocating for special or gifted services for children in daycare and school settings
Maternity Resources, Leave, & Benefits
Not sure where to start? Visit the Maternity Resources page for a Maternity Leave Checklist, information on the Family & Medical Leave Act and filing for short-term disability, adding your new addition to your health insurance, resources for nursing moms, Gradual Return to Work, and more!
Paternity Resources, Leave, & Benefits
Not sure where to start? Visit the Paternity Resources page for a Paternity Leave Checklist, information on the Family & Medical Leave Act and paid time off, adding your new addition to your health insurance, adjusting your Health Savings Account (HSA) contributions, and more!