By 2026, 14 states and Washington DC will have paid family leave policies. Still, many parents are unaware that they might qualify. Despite this, only two out of five parents actually utilize these benefits.With so much information out there, how can parents figure out their rights and talk to their employers about taking leave?In this episode of Momcozy Village: Together We Grow, Natalie Gouché talks with Nina Harstad, Director of PaidLeave.AI. This new tool from Moms First helps answer questions about leave rights at work.Nina explains that PaidLeave.AI uses artificial intelligence to help parents find out if their state has a paid family leave program, estimate their eligibility, and get support with applications. This is especially helpful for people without strong HR support or those with complex work situations, such as part-time, gig, multiple jobs, or self-employment.Nina points out that there are often-overlooked benefits for dads and non-birthing partners, such as Colorado’s paid NICU leave and New York’s paid prenatal care time. She recommends asking HR to review all paid and unpaid leave options and using the tool to help draft letters to employers.She also shares tips on how parents can start the conversation with HR about taking leave and manage the process smoothly.Episode Highlights01:09 – What is PaidLeave.AI?03:28 – How many parents access paid leave benefits, and who qualifies?05:46 – Which benefits exist that parents might not know about?08:36 – How to approach HR when you’re thinking about taking leave.12:20 – How PaidLeave.AI can help with complicated situations or topics.16:37 – What other resources are available to parents?18:35 – If you feel like being a parent is impossible right now, you are not alone.About the Guest: Nina HarstadNina has a background in economic mobility, focusing on expanding access to public benefits for underserved communities. Before joining Moms First, she worked directly with families across Alabama on a cash assistance program, where she saw firsthand how eligible families faced significant barriers navigating systems to access benefits like SNAP and WIC. These experiences shaped her commitment to closing the gap between policy and practice, leading her to Moms First and Paid Leave AI. Her work is also deeply personal, informed by her family’s experience navigating disability leave after her husband developed long COVID, which reinforced her passion for making support systems more accessible during times of crisis.Connect With UsMomcozyWebsite | Facebook | YouTube | InstagramNina HarstadPaidLeave.AI | Moms First | LinkedIn | A Better Balance |  New York City Childcare NavigatorAbout the Podcast: Momcozy Village – Together We GrowMomcozy Village: Together We Grow is a podcast where moms gather to learn, share, and support each other. Hosted by Lalaina Rabary, each episode features inspiring conversations on motherhood: from career transitions to mental health and beyond.Backed by Momcozy, makers of innovative wearable breast pumps and cozy nursing bras, the podcast is part of a movement to empower moms through every phase of early motherhood.Enjoying the Show? Subscribe so you never miss an episode. If you’re enjoying the conversations, consider leaving us a 5-star review—it helps us grow the village and support more moms. Follow Koala Tots for more calming bedtime stories, or listen ad-free with bonus sleepy compilations on Koala Tots Plus  https://koalatots.supercast.com Narrated by Abbe OpherMusic by Sokratis SeirlisInstagram: @koalakids.fm