Phone Number
+1(831) 582-5349
Location
100 Campus Center, Bldg 82 B, Room 103, Seaside, CA
+1(831) 582-5349
100 Campus Center, Bldg 82 B, Room 103, Seaside, CA
myChoice Workplace Disclosure is based on over two decades of research on the work, family and community experiences of parents and caregivers of children with mental health needs and other kinds of disabilities. A brief overview of the evidence base is presented below.
A. Initial Global Context Studies (2013-2014)
Study: Family Care Responsibilities in a Global Context
Primary Investigation Focus: Examination of various family care responsibilities and their impact on work-family conflict
Key Findings:
– Identified unique challenges for caregivers of children with exceptional care needs
– Established baseline differences between typical and exceptional care responsibilities
– Demonstrated need for specialized workplace support strategies
B. Work-Family Interface Investigation (2014-2015)
Study: Family Caregiving Responsibilities and Work-Family Interface
Research Focus: Specific examination of caregiving responsibilities’ impact on workplace experiences
Key Findings:
– Documented specific workplace challenges faced by caregivers
– Identified gaps in existing support systems
– Established foundation for future intervention development
A. Communication Boundary Management (2021)
Study: Disclosure and Communication Boundaries in the Workplace
Research Focus:
* Comparative analysis of disclosure strategies
* Assessment of communication boundary management
* Evaluation of support access outcomes
Key Findings:
B. Workplace Supports and Health Outcomes (2022)
Study: Impact of Workplace Supports on Caregiver Well-being
Research Focus:
* Analysis of support availability
* Assessment of health outcomes
* Evaluation of organizational factors
Key Findings:
A. CDC/National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health K01 Award (2022-Present)
Project: Developing a Workplace Disclosure Decision Aid
Research Focus:
A. Integration Studies (2020)
Research: Community Supports and Workforce Engagement
* Examination of community resource utilization
* Impact assessment on workforce participation
* Support system integration analysis
B. Policy and Practice Studies (2013-2021)
Workplace Flexibility and Support Systems Studies
* Policy effectiveness evaluation
* Support system accessibility assessment
* Implementation barrier identification
Our collective research evidence suggests:
A. Research Gaps
* Longitudinal outcome studies
* Cross-organizational comparisons
* Cultural adaptation considerations
B. Development Priorities
* Tool refinement based on user feedback
* Implementation guidance enhancement
* Outcome measurement optimization
Stewart, L.M., Sellmaier, C., Henderson-Posther, M., Lukefar, J. & Brennan, E.M. (in press). Navigating stigma and discrimination at work while parenting a child with a disability. In P. Claster & S. Blair (Eds.) Disability and the Family: Challenges, coping, Resources, and Resilience. Contemporary Perspectives in Family Research. Leeds, UK: Emerald Insight.
Rosenzweig, J. M., Barnett R. C., Huffstutter, K. J., & Stewart, L.M. (2008). Work-life integration: History, theory, and strategy. In J. Rosenzweig & E. Brennan (Eds.), Work, life, and the mental health system of care: A guide for professionals supporting families of children with emotional or behavioral disorders. (pp. 89 -115). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.
Sellmaier, C., Stewart, L.M., Brennan, E.M., Rosenzweig, J.M., Malsch, A.M. (2020) Parents of children and youth with disabilities: Providing exceptional care and meeting work-life challenges. In S.A. Ammons (Ed.). (2021) Work Family Encyclopedia. Work-Family Researchers Network.
Stewart, L. M., Sellmaier, C., Shrestha, L., & Brennan, E. M. (2024). Factors Influencing Employment Decisions Among Immigrants Caring for a Child With Special Health Care Needs. Journal of Family Issues, 45(2), 394-418.
Brennan, E.M., Jivanjee P., Rosenzweig, J.M., & Stewart, L.M. (2016). Challenges and Supports for Employed Parents of Children and Youth with Special Needs. In T. Allen & L. Eby Oxford Handbook of Work and Family (pp. 165-181). New York: Oxford University Press.
Stewart, L.M., Sellmaier, C., Shrethsa, L., Brennan, E.M. (2023) Parenting a child with special health care needs and the impact of family and community support on parental employment among immigrants in the U.S. Journal of Family Issues.
Rosenzweig, J. M., Malsch, A. M., Brennan, E. M., Sellmaier, C., Mills, K. L. & Stewart, L. M. (2015). Balancing work & family responsibilities: A guidebook for parent support providers. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University, and National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Behavioral Health, University of Maryland.
Stewart, L. M., Rosenzweig, J. M., Malsch Tamarkin, A. M., Brennan, E. M., & Lukefahr, J. (2022). Expanding Workplace Inclusion of Employees Who Are Parents of Children with Disabilities through Diversity Training. Healthcare, 10(12), 2361. MDPI AG. Retrieved from
Rosenzweig, J. M., Stewart, L. M., Brennan, E. M., & Sellmaier, C. (2015). Balancing work & family responsibilities: A training for parent support providers, training script. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University, and National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Behavioral Health, University of Maryland.
Stewart, L.M., Sellmaier, C., Brannan, A.M. et al. (2022). Employed Parents of Children with Typical and Exceptional Care Responsibilities: Family Demands and Workplace Supports. J Child Fam Stud.
Rosenzweig, J. M., Stewart, L. M., Brennan, E. M., & Sellmaier, C. (2015) Balancing work and family responsibilities: Parent support provider training [slides]. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center for Pathways to Positive Futures, Portland State University, and National Technical Assistance Center for Children’s Behavioral Health, University of Maryland.
Stewart, L.M., Sellmaier, C., Brannan, A.M., & Brennan, E.M. (2022). Supporting Sleep and Health of Employed Parents with Typical and Exceptional Care Demands. Journal of Social Service Research.
Brennan, E.M., Rosenzweig, J.M., Malsch, A.M., Stewart, L.M., Kjellstrand, J., & Coleman, D. (2013). Supports for Working Parents of Children with Disabilities: A Cross-national Comparison of Inclusive Policies. In V. Dujon, J. Dillard, and E. Brennan (Eds.) Social Sustainability: A Multilevel Approach to Social Inclusion. (pp. 183 – 207). New York, NY: Routlege.
Stewart, L.M. & Charles, A. (2021). Disclose or conceal: How employees caring for dependent older adults and those caring for children with disabilities manage the communication boundaries at work. Journal of Family Issues.
Rosenzweig, J. M., Malsch, A. M., Brennan, E. M., Mills, K. L. & Stewart, L. M. (2010). Children/youth with disabilities: Their parents are your employees training manual and workbook. Portland, OR: Research and Training Center on Family Support and Children’s Mental Health, Portland State University.
Sellmaier, C., Stewart, L.M., Brennan, E.M. (2020). Workforce engagement of children and youth with mental health disabilities: The impact of community services and supports. Community, Work and Family, 23(5), 534-555.
Stewart, L.M. (2013). Exploring the impact of type of family care on work-family and family-work conflict. Journal of Family Issues. 34 (1).
Stewart, L.M., Stutz, H., & Lile, W. (2018). Dependent care: A theoretical explanation of correlates and health consequences. Special Issue Community, Work and Family, 21 (5).
Rosenzweig, J. M., Huffstutter, K., Malsch, A., Stewart, L. M. & Brennan, E. M. (2011). Voices at the table: Views of parents and human resource professionals on managing the work-family boundary. Special Issue on Family Voices/ Perspectives for Best Practices in Mental Health: An International Journal, 7(1) 67-93.
My Choice Parents is dedicated to helping parents of children with mental health needs navigate the challenges of caregiving while balancing work and family life. Our resources, community, and expert guidance are here to empower you to make informed decisions and thrive in both your personal and professional roles.