Newborn and Parenting Resources: A new service from WellPoint for working mothers

WellPoint's affiliated Life and Disability Companies are pleased to announce Newborn and Parenting Resources - a new service designed to help new mothers adjust to their newborn baby and return to work after maternity leave. Newborn and Parenting Resources are available to all new and in-force short term disability plans offered by the affiliates effective 1/1/2010.

New moms have access to Newborn and Parenting Resources once their baby arrives and their short term disability claim has been approved. Then, they will receive eight weeks of Newborn and Parenting Resources services at no cost to them. The eight weeks start on the date the new mother enrolls in the program.

Once enrolled, the new mothers are paired with highly trained and licensed professional coaches who have advanced degrees in counseling and/or child development. The coaches provide support and help mothers set goals, address concerns and identify resolutions on topics including: returning to work, adjusting to a new baby, work/life balance, issues with older siblings, health and nutrition, child development and parent well-being. The coaches are available via e-mail, instant message chat, online journal and telephone. In addition, new mothers can receive a 12-month subscription to American Baby magazine and get discounts on products to make their house safe for their newborn.

"It doesn't matter if it's the first baby or the fifth, we know making the transition from maternity leave to working outside the house can be challenging," said Nick Brecker, president of Life and Disability, WellPoint, Inc. "We want new mothers to know we provide more than a benefits check. We provide new mothers with resources to help ease the transition back to work after their maternity leave and help them be successful working mothers."