Parenting

Parenting can be one of the most difficult yet rewarding challenges that a person will ever face. GVSU recognizes the need to support faculty and staff through the ups and downs of being a parent by providing valuable resources and referrals that can bring information, support, and hope to all those who are struggling with this job called parenting.

You can visit the website of our employee assistance service, Encompass, to view hundreds of articles on a wide range of topics discussing parenting.

Baby Changing Stations
Baby changing stations have been added to restrooms in the women's and men's restrooms on the north end of the main floor of the Kirkhof Center as well as the women's and men's restrooms on the first floor of the Eberhard Center. This has been done to serve our faculty, staff, students and community members that may have children on campus during working hours or for events.

The UMR Maternity Management Program is provided to all base and enhanced benefits plan members at no additional cost. It all begins with a confidential survey online or by calling a toll free number to get a paper survey. You will receive a summary booklet on a variety of subjects to promote a healthy pregnancy that you can share with your doctor.

Please visit myumr.com to enroll or call 1-800-837-7927. Grand Valley Health Plan and Priority Health members also have access to maternity resources. Contact your provider for more information

What Daddies Do Best
When do guys get the chance to meet and talk about being a Dad?  Here it is!  Join us for interesting and lively dialogue between GVSU dads of young children.  Lunch provided. 

Facilitated by:  Sharalle Arnold,
GVSU Children’s Enrichment Center

Sue Sloop, GVSU Work Life Connections Program
KC2242 for all meetings

10/14   Schools Can Be Tuff
12/3     Starting Small: Talking to Your Kids About Diversity
 2/11     How to Teach Your Child About Diversity
 3/31     Advocacy for All Children

Starting/ending time is Noon – 1:00 pm 
 To register: http://www.gvsu.edu/seminar/

Nursing Nests 
GVSU is striving to make it easier for nursing mothers to maintain breastfeeding after returning to work or school by providing private and comfortable "nursing nests."

GVSU supports nursing mothers by allowing employees to schedule adequate time for pumping breast milk. If you are having difficulty making arrangements, please contact the Women's Center at 331-2748.     
Click for more Breastfeeding Resources

Locations: Allendale
* Fieldhouse Women's Restroom
Main floor close to the athletics offices, Room B-127
* Performing Arts Center (PAC) Women's Restroom
Main floor, Room 1404
*Kirkhof Center (WC), Women's Restroom located outside of Women's Center, Room 1252
*Mackinaw Hall, room B-1-1103

 To reserve days and times, simply call the Women's Center at 331-2748 or email womenctr@gvsu.edu

Locations: Grand Rapids
*Center for Health Sciences
Room 331 - During this semester it is open from 7am - 6pm Mon., Tues., and Fri. and 7am-9pm on Wed. and Thurs.
Rooms do not lock.  Please use the "Do Not Enter, Room in Use" sign, which may be given out at the desk.
* Green Room, Pew Campus

For more information on reserving this room, please contact the Women's Center at 331-2748.

Locations: Other
If you are on another one of the GVSU campuses and are looking for space, please contact the Women's Center at 616-331-2748 or Work Life Connections at 616-331-8011


Play It Cybersafe Resources
Keeping kids safe in a wired world is challenging... In this day and age of computers, there is a great need for resources for parents, educators and children for staying safe online. Knowing the dangers helps prevent children from being harmed, and knowing what to do online to keep safe is a must.

Click Here for information and resources

Small Steps Count …
Childhood overweight and obesity is a serious health problem facing families today and many parents feel overwhelmed by the problem and don't know where to start. 
“Small Steps Count…” is a 6 week program of walking together as a family.         Click for more information

Susan Sloop, Work Life Consultant
GVSU Human Resources
Phone: (616) 331-2215, Fax: (616) 331-3216
sloops@gvsu.edu

or Encompass
 For all Work/Life or Financial/Legal Resources and Referrals
       Contact 1-800-952-3586 or www.encompass.us.com