Family Resources

Lactation spaces are available on all University of Minnesota campuses:

• Crookston Health Services site (see Lactation Room tab)
• Duluth Lactation Support site
• Morris Lactation and Breastfeeding site
• Rochester Health, Wellness, and Recreation site (see Lactation Support tab)
• Twin Cities (map and list of lactation rooms)

All lactation spaces have a locking door. You may also wish to use a door sign (pdf) to ensure privacy.

Additional questions and concerns about lactation spaces or resources can be directed to the Lactation Advocacy Committee or your HR representative.

• Talking to Your Supervisor About Lactation Needs (pdf)
• Supervisor Guide for Lactation Support (pdf)
• Information and Resources for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Students, Staff, and Faculty
• Lactation Advocacy Committee

• Achieve optimal health throughout your pregnancy and during the first six weeks after delivery. If you are covered by the University medical program, you can participate in the Healthy Pregnancy program from Medica to give your infant a healthy start. As an expectant parent, the program can help you stay well and feel good throughout your pregnancy and after your newborn arrives. If you participate in Medica’s Healthy Pregnancy program, this program is also considered an activity in the University’s Wellbeing Program and you can earn points for completing the program.
• Get confidential help coping with life changes. The University offers confidential professional consulting and referral services to all benefits-eligible employees on all campuses. Employee Assistance Program consultants and counselors can help with a range of personal concerns including work, personal relationships, family issues, and coping with stress. If you are eligible for benefits, then you, your spouse, and your children are all eligible for up to eight counseling sessions per year at no cost. Counseling and consulting services are available virtually, by telephone, or in person. To find out more, visit umn.lyrahealth.com or call 877-295-8939.
• Learn more about leave options for parents. Leave of Absence specialists are available to answer your questions about parental, medical, personal, or military leave. To connect, email them at [email protected] or, call OHR’s Leave Administration team at 612-624-8647 or 800-756-2363 and choose option  No. 2, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:20 p.m. 
• Help in planning a parental leave is available for Labor Represented and Civil Service staff as well as Faculty and P&A staff. Additional information on Family and Medical Leave is also available.

• University Discrimination Policy
• Reasonable Accommodations for Pregnancy, Childbirth, Lactation, and Related Medical Conditions FAQ

The YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center is conveniently located on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus at 326 16th Avenue SE. Get more information and schedule your tour online.

The Child Development Laboratory School offers a half-day program for 54 children ages 2 through 5 years old. A limited number of fee subsidies are available for low-income families. Contact the center for an application.

The Community Child Care Center in the Commonwealth Terrace Student Family Housing Cooperative near the St. Paul campus, offers flexible scheduling for children ages 16 months to 5 years, from 7:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. Licensed for 35 children, the center offers a sliding fee for students. There is an extensive waiting list. Contact the center for more information.

The Como Early Learning Center, located in the Como Student Community Cooperative, a student family housing complex near the University, offers care for 50 children ages 16 months through 5 years. Applicants are selected from the waiting list. Contact the center for more information.

The University of Minnesota offers a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account for all University employees who are eligible for benefits. Through this program, faculty and staff can set aside a maximum of $5,000 per household, per year in a pre-tax account to pay eligible out-of-pocket dependent daycare expenses.

Senior LinkAge Line® is the Minnesota Board on Aging's free statewide information and assistance service.

MinnesotaHelp.info Senior Link offers a free, online eldercare resource search. The site also provides a wealth of resources to support caregivers.

Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging connecting seniors and their families to a database of nationwide resources for older adults and their families

The Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account offers pre-tax savings for eldercare services. You may be able to take advantage of this program if your elderly parent or relative:

• is claimed as a tax exemption on your federal income tax return because they are physically or mentally unable to care for themselves.
• regularly spends at least eight hours per day in your household.

Long-term Care Insurance is a program that pays for care not covered by other types of insurance when you cannot safely care for yourself. Long-term care services can range from help with meal preparation and personal assistance to 24-hour monitored care. Long-term care can take place in a variety of settings including nursing centers, assisted living facility, or your own home.

Employees, spouses, parents, grandparents, in-laws, siblings, and adult children (18 and over) can apply for long-term care coverage with full underwriting. Enrollees buy their own policies. Premiums are based on the enrollee's age, not on the age of the employee.

• Minnesota Board on Aging
• Medicare
• Social Security Administration