Clare DeLong is the Communications Director for Washington’s new Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Passed by the Legislature in 2017 with wide bipartisan support, this program will ensure all Washington workers can take paid time off to care for themselves and their loved ones when a serious medical condition occurs, bond with a child coming into the family through birth, adoption or foster care, and for certain military connected events. Washington is only the fifth state in the nation to create a program like this, and when benefits become available in Jan. 2020 it will be the strongest program in the U.S.! Clare joined Paid Family and Medical Leave in Jan. 2018, and is honored to be part of an effort that will deeply improve the lives of Washingtonians for generations. Please go to www.paidleave.wa.gov for more information.