Information for Students with Children

Who are we?

This information has been collected by the Student-Parent Subcommittee of the Commission on Women at UMM. It consists of students, faculty, staff and representatives of the community. Some of us were or are student parents themselves, most of us are working parents, and some are involved in early-childhood education. We need your input, needs and experiences. Your contributions to the information on this page may be gratefully included here. Please send your info to Sylke Boyd (sboyd@morris.umn.edu).

How can you get in touch with other parents at UMM?

There is no student family housing on the UMM campus, hence student families usually live off-campus. Also, the time-constraints faced by students with children make it difficult to keep in touch with peers. However:

Student Parents are forming a student organization, whose informal name is
The Parent Pack . Please check back here for contact information or send an e-mail to sboyd@morris.umn.edu. Help make a difference.

What would it mean to have a student club for students with children? Wouldn't it have been nice to have come to UMM and been met with a smiling face and someone who said, "I know just what you are about to go through as a student parent, and I know how to make it easier and more enjoyable for you and your child(ren)?" A Student-Parent Club would create a welcoming place for parents to go for friendship, support, advice, and information. As student-parents we are faced with many challenges that students without children are not faced with. Many of us have moved away from our family and friends to go to school and we are walking this tightrope of school and parenthood without a net. We need to get together and be a net for each other, and a student parent group is the perfect vehicle for it. Thank you and I hope you'll be a part of this, because every single parent (and child!) is important and everyone can use a little help.

Bobbi Smith, UMM student, mom of two
You can log into a discussion website for UMM students with children. Please read this information first, then try the Discussion Forum for UMM Students with Children
You can join the ummstudentparents@morris.umn.edu e-mail listserver by contacting Sara Haugen (haugensj@morris.umn.edu). The e-mail list combines all students with children at UMM, and is used to keep you informed about developments and opportunities for student parents. Those can be babysitting opportunities, events, give-aways, and all sorts of other things.
Join us for occasional events, such as last year's Holiday Party for Student Families, or the fall picnic. Keep your eyes peeled for announcements.

Morris Area Child Care Center

The center accepts children from 6 weeks to school age. It also offers school after care for children up to 6th grade in the Morris Area Elementary School. The MACCC was founded with the help of the UMM Commission on Women. It offers an age-appropriate educational and academic program, and is the only center in Stevens County.

Morris Area School District

The public schools in Morris include an elementary school for grades K-6 in a brand-new building, and a highschool for grades 7-12. The schools are within easy walking distance from UMM.

Stevens County Early Childhood Initiative (ECI)

This site has lots of resources for young parents and their children. Check it out.

Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)

This program is offering parenting classes as well as programs directed at children in Stevens County.

West Central Minnesota Communities Action

This is a good site to find support for low-income situations. This organization is also running the Headstart Program in Stevens County.

Morris Transit

The Morris transit buses will pick up children (or anybody) and deliver them to a destination. One trip costs $1, multiple tickets are available at the City of Morris Office, across from Willie's Supermarket. You can call the transit drivers under 589-1000, and give instructions. They will pick up from anywhere in Morris and surroundings.

Where could one find financial support for childcare costs?

Steven County Assistance: The Stevens County Human Services have an assistance program for child care costs.
The Financial Aid Office of UMM can offer small support grants for this purpose on a first-come first-served basis.
Minnesota Child Care Grant is a resource which you should check out!

How about health insurance for student children?

Stevens County Public Health Services can point you in the right direction. They also arrange immunizations and regular child check-ups for low-income families.
The MinnesotaCare Program offers help for this important issue. Follow the appropriate links on their webpage. Most student families should qualify for an income-dependent insurance.
You also should check the Minnesota Department for Public Health Guide for additional options.

Twin Cities Student Parent Help Center