Bright Spots: The Landmark Win Giving NICU Families More Paid Leave

MAY 26, 202634 MIN
Good Things from Lemonada

Bright Spots: The Landmark Win Giving NICU Families More Paid Leave

MAY 26, 202634 MIN

Description

What would your life look like if you could actually take paid time off when you needed it most? The reality is, millions of Americans can’t – not for illness, a family emergency, or even a new baby. For parents with an infant in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), this is especially challenging: they use up whatever leave they have while their baby is in the hospital, with nothing left for when they come home. But one state is changing that: Colorado. Starting in January 2026, qualifying workers with a baby in the NICU can access additional paid leave on top of what the state already offers. In this episode, host Gloria Riviera sits down with Jared Make, Vice President at A Better Balance, the legal advocacy nonprofit behind this landmark win, to explore how Colorado is leading the way for working families. This episode is created in partnership with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies.  Learn more about A Better Balance work by visiting abetterbalance.org