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Pregnant, Parenting, & Caregiving Student Resources
Whether you’re planning a pregnancy, expecting a child, parenting, or caring for a family member while attending UMass Boston, you don't have to navigate it alone.
Campus and community resources are available to support your health, well-being, academic success, and basic needs.
Not sure where to start? Use the resources below to find the office or service that best fits your need. If you're still unsure, we can help connect you.
University Health Services
University Health Services provides confidential healthcare and wellness services for students who are pregnant, parenting, and or caring for a family member.
UHS can help with:
- Pregnancy testing
- Sexual and reproductive healthcare
- Birth control counseling
- Free folic acid supplements (400 mcg)
- Free prenatal vitamins
- Prenatal care referrals
- General medical care
- Mental health counseling
- Nutrition counseling
Pregnancy & Prenatal Health
Planning a Pregnancy or Could Become Pregnant?
UHS provides free 400 mcg folic acid supplements to students. Folic acid is important before and during early pregnancy and can help reduce the risk or neural tube defects.
Learn about folic acid for a healthy pregnancy here.
Think You May Be Pregnant?
UHS provides pregnancy testing and can help you understand your options and connect you with appropriate care and resources.
Already Pregnant?
UHS provides free prenatal vitamins and can help connect you with prenatal care. Starting prenatal care early can help support your health throughout pregnancy.
Learn more about healthy pregnancies here.
Have Questions About Your Reproductive Health?
You can talk with a UHS provider about pregnancy planning, birth control, sexual health, or other questions about your reproductive health. You don't need to know exactly what you need before making an appointment.
Pregnancy, Parenting & Lactation Rights
Pregnant and lactating students are protected under Title IX and may be eligible for reasonable modifications to support their continued participation in academics and campus life.
The Office of Civil Rights & Title IX (CRTIX) can help students understand their rights and request pregnancy-related accommodations and other reasonable modifications.
CRTIX can help with:
- Pregnancy and parenting rights
- Academic accommodations and reasonable modifications
- Pregnancy-related absences and make-up work
- Lactation support
- Questions about discrimination or retaliation
- Navigating university processes
Lactation Spaces
UMass Boston provides private lactation spaces for students, employees, and campus guests who are breastfeeding or expressing breast milk.
Available Locations:
- Quinn Administration Building — Upper Level
- McCormack Building — First Floor, Room 01-0611
Rooms are available by reservation or on a first-come, first-served basis when available. Please knock before entering and help keep the space clean for others.
To request the access code or learn more about lactation accommodations, email CivilRights.TitleIX@umb.edu.
Finding the Lactation Rooms
Quinn Administration Building — Upper Level
- From the Quinn Upper Level lobby, follow signs for the Police Station.
- After passing through both sets of double doors, turn right into the main hallway.
- The room is approximately 50 feet ahead on the left, just before the large garage door. It is marked “Mother’s Room.”
McCormack Building — First Floor, Room 01-0611
- From the first floor of McCormack, follow signs for the 600 Wing near the Fitness Center.
- As you enter the 600 Wing, the room is immediately on your right and is marked “Lactation Room.”
Dean of Students Support
The Dean of Students Office helps students navigate personal, academic, family, and social challenges that may affect their ability to stay engaged in college. The team provides individualized support and can connect students with appropriate campus and community resources.
Care Case Management is a collaborative, student-centered process that helps students navigate challenging or complex circumstances. A Care Case Manager will meet with you to understand your situation, identify your needs, and explore options for support. Depending on your circumstances, they may:
- Help you identify and navigate possible solutions
- Advocate on your behalf when appropriate
- Coordinate with campus partners or others involved in your support, while respecting applicable privacy requirements
The Student Emergency Aid Fund provides small grants to eligible students experiencing temporary, one-time emergencies.
U-ACCESS: Basic Needs & Family Support
U-ACCESS helps UMass Boston students access basic-needs support and connect with campus and community resources.
U-ACCESS can help with:
- SNAP: Eligibility, applications, and recertification support
- Food assistance: U-ACCESS Food Pantry and fresh produce
- Health insurance: Information and referrals for MassHealth and other coverage
- Financial wellness: Financial literacy and budgeting resources
- Housing and childcare: Connections to community resources
- Clothing: Beacon Boutique and connections to community resources for children's clothing
- Family & Parenting Support: Resource navigation and referrals based on your individual needs
Caring for a Family Member?
Many UMass Boston students balance academics with caring for a parent, grandparent, partner, child, or another loved one.
If you’re helping a family member navigate health, aging, disability, home care, or other support needs, these resources below can help you find information and services in Massachusetts.
Caregiving & Aging Resources
Age Strong Commission
The City of Boston’s Age Strong Commission connects older adults and caregivers with local services and support, including health insurance counseling, housing resources, food assistance, and community programs.
Learn more about Age Strong Commission here.
Boston ElderINFO
Boston ElderINFO provides free information, referrals, and bilingual support for older adults and caregivers throughout Greater Boston. They can help connect families with home-based care, community programs, and other local services.
Call (617) 292-6211 or learn more about Boston ElderINFO here.
MassOptions
MassOptions is a free statewide referral service that helps individuals and caregivers find resources related to aging, disability, home care, and long-term support services throughout Massachusetts.
Call (844) 422-6277 or visit MassOptions here.
Additional Resources
The resources below provide additional support for food, healthcare, parenting, family services, and student rights.
Food & Nutrition
Women, Infants & Children (WIC)
WIC provides nutrition assistance, healthy food benefits, breastfeeding support, nutrition education, and referrals for eligible pregnant, postpartum, and parenting individuals with children under age 5.
Learn more about Massachusetts WIC here.
U-ACCESS can help students learn more about WIC and connect with this resource.
Project Bread FoodSource Hotline
Project Bread connects Massachusetts residents with food resources in their communities, including food pantries, meal programs, and food assistance programs.
Call (800) 645-8333 or find food resources through Project Bread here.
SNAP
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) helps eligible individuals and families purchase food.
Need help applying? U-ACCESS provides SNAP eligibility, application, and recertification support for UMass Boston students. Schedule a SNAP Appointment here.
Health Insurance & Healthcare
MassHealth
MassHealth is Massachusetts’ Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It provides health insurance coverage and healthcare services for eligible Massachusetts residents.
Parenting & Family Support
Mass 211
Mass 211 is a free statewide information and referral service connecting Massachusetts residents with local resources for housing, childcare, healthcare, food assistance, mental health services, and other basic needs.
Call 211 or find community resources here.
Family Resources Center - Massachusetts
Family Resource Centers connect families with free programs, parenting support, family activities, referrals, and community resources.
Find a Massachusetts Family Resource Center here.
Jeremiah Program
Jeremiah Program supports single mothers and their children through higher education, career development, early childhood education, leadership development, and community support.
Learn more about Jeremiah Program Boston here.
One Family Scholars
One Family Scholars provides support and resources for student parents and families working toward economic mobility through education.
Student Rights & Advocacy
The Pregnant Scholar
The Pregnant Scholar provides information about pregnancy and parenting in higher education, including Title IX protections, pregnancy rights, accommodations, and strategies for navigating college while pregnant or parenting.
Need Help Finding the Right Resource?
You may not know which office to contact — and that's okay.
For healthcare, mental health, or pregnancy-related questions:
- University Health Services - General Medicine
- (617) 287-5660
- UHS@umb.edu
- University Health Services - Counseling Center
- (617) 287-5690
- 24/7 Mental Health Line: (855) 634-4135
- Counseling.Center@umb.edu
For personal, academic, family, or other circumstances affecting your college experience:
For food, SNAP, housing, childcare, financial, or other basic-needs support:
Still not sure where to start? Contact the office that seems closest to your needs. If they are not the right place, they can help connect you with the appropriate resource.