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.
SSM has a Family Resource Guide with more resources than the aforementioned topics. https://www.ssmhealth.com/SSMHealth/media/Documents/conditions-treatments/maternity/st-louis-maternity/ssm-health-st-louis-family-resources-guide.pdf
Start Here provides general information, street addresses, phone numbers and websites for dozens of agencies, shelters, employment resources, food pantries and other organizations throughout the St. Louis area.
Free copies of the directory booklet may be ordered from:
CRIMINAL JUSTICE MINISTRY
2342 LaSalle St. (near Jefferson & Highway 40)
St. Louis, MO 63104
info@cjmstlouis.org or call 314-652-8062
Family Support Division (FSD) – food stamps, Medicaid, childcare, child support services, TANF, and energy assistance
The Missouri Department of Social Services is responsible for coordinating programs to provide food stamps, health care, childcare, child support, blind services, and other basic needs; health care coverage for eligible Missourians; child welfare services to help ensure the safety, permanency, and wellbeing of Missouri; and specialized assistance to troubled youth.
Phone: 855-373-4636 Mon - Fri, 6 am - 6 pm
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 the 911 (for physical emergencies).
St. Louis Crisis Nursery provides emergency intervention, respite care, and support to families in crisis. For the 24 hour helpline, call: 314-768-3201.
National Parent and Youth Hotline
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
ThriVe offers parent and life skills classes, counseling, utility assistance, and more, including a 24-hour help line.
Office: 4331 Lindell Blvd. St. Louis, MO 63108 | Phone: 314-773-4626
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.
Email: contact@freeformulaexchange.com
Helping Hand Me DownsEach child receives the following items based on availability:
- Seasonally-appropriate clothing: sleepers, onesies, shirts, pants/shorts/skirts, socks
- Shoes, bibs, hats, blankets, coat
- Small toy(s) and age-appropriate book(s)
- One piece of large baby gear for each child under 1 year (i.e., bouncy seat, swing, crib, exersaucer, car seat, stroller, or highchair). These large items are on a waiting list system.
- a one-time distribution of 50 FREE diapers with a referral to a Diaper Bank partner organization that can provide long-term diaper support.
They can also provide the following items to parents when they are available: diaper bags, baby carriers, maternity clothing, breast pumps, beds, couches, and dressers.
Office: 16225 Westwoods Business Park Drive Ellisville, MO 63021 | Phone: 314-919-6999
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's Emergency Partners to get free diapers today and a referral to one of their long-term partners near you.
To receive a list of food assistance programs:
Phone: TEXT your ZIP CODE to 785-503-3310 | Website: startherestl.org
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of needy families so they can purchase healthy food and move towards self-sufficiency. To apply for SNAP benefits, please refer to the following options:
- For students who have access to a printer/scanner, schedule a phone meeting with the SNAP specialist for assistance in completing and submitting your application and related materials.
- For students who don’t have a printer/scanner at home, submit your application and supporting documents online. If you need any assistance in filling out your application or have any questions, contact SNAP specialist from the St. Louis Area Food Bank Andrew Yakel at ayakel@stlfoodbank.org or call (314) 528-8662.
Missouri Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)
The Missouri WIC program provides supplemental food, health care referrals, nutrition education, and breastfeeding promotion and support to eligible pregnant women, new mothers, breastfeeding and postpartum women, infants, and children up to age five (5). Fathers, grandparents, guardians, and foster parents may also apply for benefits for the children living in their household. Learn more here.
St. Louis Area Food Bank
St. Louis Area Food Bank has a Food Pantry Link to help identify food pantries in your area. St. Louis Area Food Bank is also operating mobile markets at locations in various areas throughout St. Louis. If you or someone you know has a vehicle, you can visit one of the Emergency Mobile Food Distributions. These events are set up to be drive-through food distributions. Please have an ID and arrive early. No need to leave your vehicle. Volunteers and staff will put food in your car. A complete list of dates, times, and locations can be found on their Events Page.
Oasis Food Pantry
The O.A.S.I.S. Food Pantry serves the needs of Saint Charles County residents. They offer a variety of fresh, frozen and canned foodstuffs, as well as basic hygiene items to qualified recipients.
Operation Food Search
The mission of Operation Food Search is to nourish and educate our neighbors in need to heal the hurt of hunger.
Office: 1644 Lotsie Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63132 | Phone: 314-726-5355 option 1
From purchasing a home to health, education, jobs, and economic development, Beyond Housing offers holistic resources and support.
Office: 6506 Wright Way St. Louis, MO 63121 | Phone: 314-533-0600
United Way of Greater St. Louis
United Way’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities around the world to advance the common good.
Office: 910 North 11th St. St. Louis, MO 63101-1018 | Phone: 1-800-427-4626 | Telecommunications Device for the Deaf: 866-385-6525
The City of St. Louis does not have a program that provides energy utility assistance to residents. However, there are many programs in the area that provide such assistance. Their website provides some of those programs and instructions for how to use them.
Missouri Health Net for Kids
The MO HealthNet (Medicaid) for Kids provides medical care for children under 19 years of age whose family income falls within certain guidelines. Click here to learn more and enroll.
If you’ve already enrolled, go to MO HealthNet for assistance using your benefits or finding a doctor.
CareSTL Health is a community-based health care system that provides medical care to underserved, underinsured, and uninsured populations.
Multiple Offices (refer to website for office closest to you)
People’s Health Centers is committed to serving impoverished, uninsured populations in St. Louis and St. Louis County communities. Dental services are available for adults and pediatric patients.
Parents as Teachers provide a holistic approach to strengthening families through an evidence-based early childhood home visiting model.
Office: Parents as Teachers National Center - 2228 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146 | Phone: 314-432-4330 | Email: customerservice@parentsasteachers.org
Community Action Agency of St. Louis
County Community Action Agency of St. Louis County provides a variety of programs that promote family stability and economic security via life skill classes, financial management, family support services, domestic violence shelters, foster grandparent programs, and crisis assistance.
Office: 2709 Woodson Road Overland, MO 63114 | Phone: 314-863-0015 | Email: info@caastlc.org
*For all Missouri Community Action Networks outside of St. Louis County, visit communityaction.org/gethelp*
Nine PBS is part of an innovative family engagement opportunity. Bright by Text provides subscribing parents and caregivers text messages with quality information and links to trusted resources to help them support the learning and development of the children in their lives.