Student parents have a variety of resources specifically available to them and their families right here on UMSL's campus! This page exists to highlight these student parent/family specific campus resources. Click on the resources below to learn more information. Additionally, this page provides information about community resources for families.
Nursing and Pumping Spaces
The University of Missouri–St. Louis provides private lactation rooms on both North and South campus for students, faculty, and staff to support them while balancing their work and study commitments with their needs as parents. Each campus location offers a clean and secure environment for those who need to pump or nurse while on campus. Find more information about room locations, access, and room features.
Diapers
The Triton Pantry has a partnership with the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank. This partnership allows us to better support our students that have babies and young children in diapers. Diapers are provided on a monthly basis to student parents in need. Students must sign up for this resource and arrange to pick diapers up each month in the Triton Pantry. Sign up today!
Food Resources
The Triton Pantry provides food to UMSL students facing food insecurities. Students are able to stop by the pantry to pick up food for themselves and for their children when needed. Learn more about the Triton Pantry.
Counseling Services
There are many departments and organizations on campus or affiliated with campus that offer individual counseling, therapy, and group therapy services to students, families, and children. Additionally, student parents may receive free or discounted individual counseling and group therapy sessions.
Clothing
UMSL sustainability has added a children's corner to their clothing swaps. Clothing swaps are a great way to update your and your child's wardrobe for free! Visit their website to see the upcoming events and find out more information.
The Student Advocacy and Care team is happy to help student parents identify needs and get connected to resources. Schedule an appointment with a case manager.
Community Resources for Student Parents and Families
This section provides a variety of resources and services that are currently available to parents. This list is not comprehensive nor exhaustive. We will do our best to keep it up to date, but understand that things are changing rapidly right now, and double checking things on your own and doing personal research is important.
- Missouri Family Support Division (FSD)
- The Family Support Division is responsible for administering public assistance programs including SNAP, Temporary Assistance, Medicaid, child support, blind services, and other basic needs. The agency can also help with finding and keeping a job through their employment and job training programs.
- Click here to utilize the Family Resource Locator Tool
- Phone: 855-373-4636 | Mon - Fri, 8:00AM-5:00PM
If you are in an emergency situation where danger is imminent and immediate help is required, call 988 (for suicide or crisis lifeline emergencies) or 911 (for physical emergencies).
- Parent Stress Line
- Parenting can be hard. You don’t have to do it alone. When parenting feels overwhelming, the Parent Stress Line is here to listen. Available nationwide, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- Phone: 1-800-632-8188
- St. Louis Crisis Nursery
- Provides 24-hour emergency intervention, respite care, and support to families in crisis with children from birth to age twelve. All services are completely free and voluntary.
- Phone: 314-768-3201 (St. Louis City) | 314-953-8030 (St. Louis County)
- National Parent & Youth Helpline
- If you are struggling as a parent, caregiver or a youth, the helpline is here to provide vital support. It is a judgment-free, compassionate space for those in need of immediate emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
- Whether you are in the midst of a personal crisis or just need someone to talk to, the Helpline’s trained counselors are always ready to help. Call, text or live chat. Always free. Always human. Always ready to listen.
- Phone: 855-427-2736
- Free Formula Exchange
- The Free Formula Exchange is a nationwide mutual aid network connecting families who need baby formula to people who have formula to donate. This online tool is free to use.
- Helping Hand Me Downs
- Children can receive clothing, blankets, toys, books, and other essential items. This agency can also provide larger baby gear including car seats, cribs, and highchairs based on availability.
- Referrals are required to receive items. Please connect with one of our case managers to place an order by filling out a CARE Report here
- St. Louis Area Diaper Bank
- The St. Louis Area Diaper Bank partners with programs throughout the region to help get families the resources they need, and keep babies happy and dry. Check out the St. Louis Area Diaper Bank to get free diapers today and a referral to one of their long-term partners near you.
- Missouri Coalition of Diaper Banks
- This agency works to ensure that families and individuals in Missouri have the diapers and period supplies needed to live a life of dignity in our respective communities. There are eight locations across the state of Missouri, click the link above to view your nearest location.
- The St. Louis MOMS Line
- This is a free, confidential, peer-led support line for pregnant and postpartum individuals navigating mood changes, anxiety, depression, or the stress of new motherhood
- Phone: 314-768-6667 (MOMS)
- Postpartum Support International
- The PSI HelpLine is a toll-free telephone number anyone can call to get basic information, support, and resources. When reaching out to the HelpLine, you will always hear back from a human being (not an AI program) who is passionate about providing support, understanding and hope.
- Phone: 1-800-944-4773
- Parents as Teachers
- Their mission is to promote the optimal early development, learning and health of children by supporting and engaging their parents and caregivers. Parents as Teachers provide a holistic approach to strengthening families through an evidence-based early childhood home visiting model.
- To begin, please connect with your local affiliate organization by clicking the following link: Find a Program Near You
- Lantern
- Lantern is a national nonprofit dedicated to providing families with essential information for raising kids, from pregnancy through the preteen years.
- Nurses for Newborns
- Nurses for Newborns partners with expecting and new parents, babies, and families by providing compassionate nursing support, counseling, parenting education, and resources. All services are provided at no cost to the families served
- Raising St. Louis
- Raising St. Louis connects with mothers, fathers and other family members to help build and sustain the family unit, reduces the high infant mortality rate, promotes literacy and increases access to health care
- Any woman or family who lives within eligible zip code and is pregnant, or has a child up to age 4, is eligible to participate, at zero cost to the participant.
- Click the following link to view eligible zip codes and enroll: Raising St. Louis Service Area
- Phone: 314-747-7785 (RSTL) | 314-362-9586
- T-Mobile Project 10Million
- One free hotspot per household, free 200GB of internet per year for 5 years
- For children grades K-12
- MO KIN-4-KID
- Resources for kinship caregivers, including grandparents, relatives, and non-relative loved ones providing a parenting role