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Pregnancy and Parenting Support

Sex discrimination includes discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, lactation, miscarriage, termination, and related conditions such as recovery from childbirth. Such discrimination is prohibited and illegal in admissions, educational programs and activities, hiring, leave policies, employment policies, and health insurance coverage. Title IX requires that pregnant students be treated the same way as a student with any other temporary disability, that medically necessary absences are excused with an opportunity to make up missed work wherever possible. Students who will give birth during the academic semester are able to reach out to the ADA Coordinator to plan for any medical leave they will need.

Under Title IX, WVU also provides reasonable accommodations to those who are pregnant or who experience a pregnancy-related condition. Reasonable accommodations for pregnant and parenting students can include, but are not limited to:

  • Breaks during class, labs, or exams to eat, drink, use the restroom or express milk
  • Access to online courses or classwork
  • Schedule changes or changes to course sequence
  • Extensions to deadlines and rescheduling of tests

Accommodations are individualized and based on the current needs of the student.

Accommodation plans are developed through an interactive process conducted through the ADA Coordinator. Should you need assistance in managing an accommodation request, contact WVU’s Executive Director of Compliance and Title IX Coordinator, James Goins Jr at (304) 293-8363 or james.goins@mail.wvu.edu or WVU’s ADA Coordinator at (304) 293-5600 or ada@mail.wvu.edu.

Graduate Assistants are eligible for a modification of duties related to their assistantship – read the policy here. After reading the policy, you can use this form to submit a request for modification.

For more information about pregnancy in higher education, including best practice guides for Faculty and Administrators, please visit The Pregnant Scholar.

If you believe you or another WVU community member has been discriminated against on the basis of pregnancy, parenting, marital or familial status, we can help – please click here to report discrimination.

Campus and Community Resources

Women’s Resource Center – http://wrc.wvu.edu

Division of Student Life – Student Family Resources - https://studentlife.wvu.edu/students/see-all-departments/student-family-resources

  • Student Family Resources at Student Life provides support to student parents – click here for a list of state, local and national resources and the application for their Student Child Care Assistance Program!

WVU Student Health - https://health.wvu.edu/student-health/

  • WVU Student Health can confirm pregnancy and assist you in connecting to obstetric and pre-natal care.

United Way Programs – United Way programs work to support the health, education, financial stability and basic needs of all individuals in their service areas. If you are looking for any kind of help, United Way’s statewide hotline can get you connected – just dial 211!

Family Resource Networks – Family Resource Networks provide a wide variety of services, including referrals to allied support organizations.

West Virginia PATH - https://www.wvpath.wv.gov/

  • This website is the centralized hub for applying for West Virginia’s state assistance programs, including Medicaid, WV CHIP, and family support programs which can assist with food and shelter costs, paying utility bills, and educational resources for children.

West Virginia Birth to Three - https://www.wvdhhr.org/birth23/

  • Birth to Three programs partner with families and caregivers to build upon their strengths by offering coordination, supports and resources to enhance children’s learning and development.

West Virginia Right From The Start - https://www.wvdhhr.org/rfts/

  • Right from the Start is a statewide program that helps West Virginia mothers and their babies lead healthier lives by offering home visitation services with a Designated Care Coordinator (registered nurse or licensed social worker).

Bureau for Family Assistance Child Care Locator - https://bfa.wv.gov/page/find-childcare-provider

  • This resource can help you locate licensed childcare centers in West Virginia and review their licensure status.

Bureau for Child Support Enforcement - https://bcse.wv.gov/

  • If you will need child support, the BCSE is able to help establish paternity, support, and enforce child support orders.

Prevent Child Abuse WV - https://bss.wv.gov/page/centralized-intake-abuse-and-neglect

Report Child Abuse and Neglect - https://bss.wv.gov/page/centralized-intake-abuse-and-neglect

US Department of Education – Know Your Rights - https://www.ed.gov/laws-and-policy/civil-rights-laws/title-ix-and-sex-discrimination/title-ix-key-issues/know-your-rights-pregnant-or-parenting-title-ix-protects-you-discrimination-school

The Pregnant Scholar – http://thepregnantscholar.org

  • The Pregnant Scholar is a national clearinghouse for information on the rights of pregnant and parenting students under Title IX.

Worklife Law - https://worklifelaw.org/

  • Worklife Law is a national organization advocating for the rights and ability of pregnant people, parents and caregivers to maintain employment and promote work-life balance.

La Leche League International - https://llli.org/

  • La Leche League provides peer-to-peer lactation and breastfeeding support through an international network of local volunteer counselors. LLLI can support your breastfeeding needs through education and connection to local support.

National Women’s Law Center – Coalition for Pregnant and Parenting Student Advocacy - https://nwlc.org/resource/coalition-for-pregnant-and-parenting-students-advocacy/

  • The Coalition for Pregnant and Parenting Students Advocacy promotes educational equity and success for pregnant and parenting students in K12 and Higher Education.