{"id":2929,"date":"2018-04-30T14:37:03","date_gmt":"2018-04-30T18:37:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cah.ucf.edu\/imprint\/?p=2929"},"modified":"2018-10-29T16:53:20","modified_gmt":"2018-10-29T20:53:20","slug":"pregnant-parenting-at-ucf","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cah.ucf.edu\/imprint\/pregnant-parenting-at-ucf\/","title":{"rendered":"Pregnant & Parenting at UCF"},"content":{"rendered":"

by Sarah Mouradian<\/em><\/p>\n

While we may be young adults, most of us honestly still feel like kids. We\u2019re just barely starting to figure out this world on our own. For the first time in our lives, we\u2019re experiencing daunting responsibilities like paying rent, bills, and taxes. Some of us can just barely take care of our selves. How could any one of us reasonably expect to successfully bring another life into this world? The thought is terrifying!<\/p>\n

Even worse would be to feel completely alone facing parenthood in a sea of 66,000\u00a0 students who seem to have their lives together. While it may be true that most college students aren\u2019t concerned with becoming parents at this stage in life\u2014 pregnancy and parenthood can occur unexpectedly. The wonderful news is that there are abundant resources available for women who may be facing pregnancy or early parenthood. You are not alone in this!<\/p>\n

Below you will find a few resources that include counseling and services such as childcare and tuition assistance. Keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list.<\/p>\n

Counseling, & Planning Assistance<\/strong><\/h4>\n

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The Pregnancy Center:<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>Locations: Oviedo and Sanford<\/p>\n

The Pregnancy Center provides free pregnancy tests,\u00a0 ultrasounds performed by licensed technicians, and\u00a0 comprehensive options counseling. They also provide referral services for emergency assistance, employment listings, Medicaid, post-abortion counseling, post-adoption support, safe houses and emergency shelter, as well as many other referral services. A key feature of The Pregnancy Center is their \u201cEarn While You Learn\u201d program for first-time mothers to earn reward points that can be used for supplies and material goods while going through the free education and counseling lessons provided by the center.<\/p>\n

JMJ Pregnancy Center:<\/strong><\/a> Locations: Orlando, Kissimmee, and St. Cloud<\/p>\n

Similar to The Pregnancy Center, the JMJ Pregnancy Center offers free pregnancy tests,\u00a0 ultrasounds performed by licensed technicians, and comprehensive options counseling. They also provide their free \u201cLifting Lives Program,\u201d which includes material resources, referral services, and individual and group classes.<\/p>\n

Childcare Needs<\/strong><\/h4>\n

UCF Creative School for Children:<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0Location: University of Central Florida<\/span><\/p>\n

Priority enrollment is given to UCF students taking a minimum of 6 undergraduate credit hours or 3 graduate credit hours. Children ages from 6 weeks to 5 years old are accepted, including VPK. Unfortunately, childcare is not free. However, it is as low-cost as possible, and there are many options for working around class schedules.<\/p>\n

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LifeHope Childcare Center: <\/strong><\/a>Location: Northwood Church in Longwood<\/p>\n

The program is available for single parents with children ages 6 weeks to 18 months old. If eligibility requirements are met, parents will additionally receive case management for guidance on resources and education for sustainability outside of the program.<\/p>\n

Tuition Assistance<\/strong><\/h4>\n

UCF Student Government Single Parent Scholarship<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n