Pregnant and Parenting Students
Title IX protects students from sex-based discrimination in educational programs and activities. This includes protection for students who are pregnant, parenting, or experiencing related medical conditions.
In addition, the University must assist a student with reasonable adjustments to continue their education. (U.S. Department of Education). Students are encouraged to communicate with their school and instructors, as they play a key role in implementing accommodations and supporting academic continuity in coordination with the Title IX Office.
Our goal is to empower and support students in making informed decisions while continuing their education.
Title IX ensures that students are not treated unfairly because of:
- Pregnancy
- Childbirth
- False pregnancy
- Loss of pregnancy
- Recovery from pregnancy-related conditions
- Parenting responsibilities
Students have the right to continue their education without discrimination or penalty due to pregnancy or related conditions.
Your Rights Under Title IX
If you are pregnant or experiencing a related condition, the University must explore reasonable adjustments to support your continued participation in your academic program.
This includes:
- Excused absences as medically necessary
- The ability to return to the same academic and extracurricular status held before leave began
- The opportunity to make up missed assignments or coursework
- Equal access to programs and activities
- Protection from faculty or staff refusing reasonable accommodations
Examples of Academic Accommodations
Depending on the situation, supportive measures may include:
- Absences or medical leave are medically necessary
- Extended deadlines or make-up assignments
- Modified attendance policies
- Access to lactation or nursing mother rooms
- Return to coursework with the same academic standing as before leave
- Parking accommodations (Please contact Texas Tech Health El Paso’s Office of Accessibility Services at disabilitysupport.elp@ttuhsc.edu or 915-215-4398.)
Each situation is reviewed individually to determine appropriate accommodation.
Support & Resources
The Title IX Office can help connect students to:
- On-campus support services
- Academic advising
- Counseling services
- Community resources
Information shared with the Title IX Office is handled privately and discreetly in accordance with University policy and applicable law.
Contact Us
TTUHSC El Paso Pregnancy & Parenting Liaison
We empower and support our students to make the best decision for themselves while navigating being a student who is pregnant or the partner of a student who is pregnant.
Norma Fuentes
Norma.Fuentes@ttuhsc.edu
915-215-4398
Title IX Office
Handles pregnancy and parenting-related academic accommodations, including excused
absences, make-up work, flexibility for medical appointments, and protection from
discrimination.
806-743-2016
titleix@ttuhsc.edu
Student Disability Services (SDS)
Temporary accommodations for pregnancy complications, postpartum recovery, and medical needs.
806-743-3057
sds@ttuhsc.edu
There are many ways in which pregnant or parenting students may request support. These options include:
- Completing the Student Parent Form. After receiving the form, our office will reach out to the student to discuss available university resources to help them navigate their pregnancy and parenting.
- Review the attached pregnancy and parenting support postcard. This includes information on how the university can support them, and it will provide the contact information to our Title IX Office.
- Call 806-743-9861 or email titleixcoordinator@ttuhsc.edu, indicating the request for pregnancy or parenting support for the student.
Nursing Mother Rooms/Lactation Rooms
Texas Tech University HSC El Paso has rooms on campus to create a safe, quiet, and private place to express milk for parents who are choosing to breastfeed or pump. Rooms are available to all students who are nursing/pumping and are enrolled at Texas Tech Health El Paso.
Locations:
|
Building |
Room |
Notes |
|
Medical Sciences Building I (MSB I) |
4107 |
Managed by the Office of Research. Room is available during business hours (8 am – 5 pm, M-F). |
|
Medical Sciences Building II (MSB II) |
1B119 |
Managed by the Office of Student Services and Student Engagement. You can request access to the room here. |
|
Clinical Sciences Building (CSB) |
D25BA Suite |
Managed by the Office of Student Services and Student Engagement. You can request access to the room here. |
|
Administrative Support Building II (ASB II) / Oral Health Clinic |
1003 |
Managed by the Oral Health Clinic. Room is available during business hours (8 am – 5 pm, M-F). |
Student Health Services at TTU Physicians Family Medicine Kenworthy Clinic
849 Kenworthy St., El Paso, TX 79924
915-215-5500
Provides confidential primary care services for Texas Tech Health El Paso students.
Insurance and co-pays may apply depending on services
University Medical Center Emergency Room 4815 Alameda Ave. El Paso, TX 79905 915-544-1200
Level I trauma center offering emergency care and forensic exams within 120 hours of sexual assault (with or without reporting to law enforcement).
The Hospitals of Providence Emergency Rooms
Multiple locations across El Paso provide emergency medical services:
- Children’s Hospital / Memorial Campus
- 2001 N. Oregon St., El Paso, TX 79902
- 915-577-6011
- East Campus
- 3280 Joe Battle Blvd., El Paso, TX 79938
- 915-832-2000
- Sierra Campus
- 1625 Medical Center Dr., El Paso, TX 79902
- 915-747-4000
- Transmountain Campus
- 2000 Transmountain Rd., El Paso, TX 79911
915-877-8136
- Provides different clinical health support, such as vaccines for children and adults.
- Also, they provide free STI/HIV testing.
- Women’s Resource Center/ Labor and Delivery
- Provides free pregnancy tests, Medicaid and hospital registration assistance, prenatal classes, physician referrals, and birth planning. Offers full labor and delivery services, NICU care, and newborn services.
- 1801 N. Oregon St., El Paso, TX 79902
- Women’s Resource Center:
(915) 521-7650
- Hospital Main Line:
(915) 521-1200
Westside Pregnancy Center
Westside Pregnancy Center | free pregnancy test | 201 E Sunset Rd, El Paso, TX, USA
- Provides free pregnancy tests, limited ultrasounds, counseling, maternity clothing, baby supplies, parenting education, and referrals.
- 201 E. Sunset Rd., El Paso, TX 79922
-
- (915) 703-3001
Planned Parenthood El Paso Health Center 1511 E. Missouri Ave. El Paso, TX 79902 – 915-626-5191
- Offers reproductive healthcare, including pregnancy testing and counseling, birth control, STI/HIV testing, and general men’s and women’s health services.
Men & Women's Health Care, Pregnancy Testing and Counseling, Birth Control, and STI/HIV Testing.
Guiding Star SouthWest 915-544-9600 1411 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79902 1411 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79902
A nonprofit providing holistic women’s healthcare, including fertility planning, pregnancy and postpartum care, breastfeeding support, and wellness services. Also offers classes and material support, such as diapers and wipes.
Education Service Center - Region 19 Head Start Birth to Four Early Education proudly serves the community by helping improve the quality of life for thousands of low-income children and their families. The program offers a full range of high-quality early education and development services that are designed to increase school readiness and foster the healthy development of young children from birth to age 4.
Texas Workforce Commission Child Care & Early Learning Program
The Child Care Services (CCS) program provides scholarships for child care. Child care scholarships are available to help parents work, search for work, or attend school or job training.
Workforce Solutions Borderplex
Subsidizes childcare for eligible low-income families.
YWCA Academies for Early Learning
The WYCA offers seven daycare locations around El Paso and subsidizes childcare for eligible low-income families.
Provide support for children in grades K-12
Connects Texas parents with up-to-date parenting information, ideas, and resources.
Pregnancy & Fatherhood Solutions
Provides no-cost services, including maternity & infant supplies, medical referrals, parenting education, adoption information, pregnancy testing, and support for fathers.
A nonprofit organization providing free resources such as pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, parenting classes, and essential baby items to families in need.
Provides support for early childhood development through:
- Personalized home visits
- Developmental screenings
- Connections to community resources
- Group support with other parents
Provides education, resources, and encouragement.
Talking to Your Children about Consent
A quick video on talking to your child, teen, or college student about consent.
Watch our webinar, Consent Conversations, with representatives from the TTU Title IX Office, Parent Family Relations, and the Office of Student Conduct for more information and tips on how to have this crucial conversation.
Her Care Connection
https://hercareconnection.org
Options counseling, women’s health resources, pregnancy support, referrals to prenatal
care providers, education on reproductive health, and connection to holistic women’s
services.
1411 Montana Ave., El Paso, TX 79902
(915) 500-4104
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services 915-542-4535
The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) works with communities to promote safe and healthy families and protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. We do this through investigations, services and referrals, and prevention programs.
Center Against Sexual and Family Violence (CASFV)– Domestic Violence Crisis Helpline: 915–593–7300
They provide 24/7 crisis intervention, advocacy, and support services for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault survivors.
Budgeting for a Baby: Pregnancy, Infancy, & Fertility Treatment. Guidance on managing costs from conception through your baby’s first year, including pregnancy, infancy, and fertility-related expenses.
Red to Black Peer Financial Literacy Program- provides financial education for students and residents, helping them build skills to make informed financial decisions and reduce financial stress during and after their training.
Women, Infants, & Children (WIC)
- Supports healthy pregnancies and child development through:
- Healthy food benefits
- Nutrition counseling
- Breastfeeding support
- Classes, recipes, and cooking demonstrations
- Call 311 or apply online
- Health coverage options for pregnant women:
- Medicaid for Pregnant Women: Covers pregnancy and up to 12 months postpartum
- CHIP Perinatal: Limited prenatal coverage and 2 postpartum visits
- Eligibility based on income, residency, and insurance status
- Call 211 or apply online
SNAP Food Benefits helps individuals and families purchase food and essential groceries, including seeds for growing food. Call 211 for more information or log on to the website to fill out your application online.
Provides period supplies, diapers, wipes, and infant formula to qualifying families.
- Available once per month
- Holy Ghost Tabernacle, 4727 Hondo Pass, El Paso, TX
- Third Tuesday of each month, 6:30–7:30 PM
Texas Rio Grande Legal Aid provides free legal services to low-income people facing most forms of civil legal problems. They can be reached at (833) 329-8752. Their attorneys are organized into teams specializing in various legal areas of expertise.
City of El Paso Housing Programs (915) 212-0139; Hours of Operation M-F 8 a.m. 5 p.m.
Provides support for low- and moderate-income families, including:
- Affordable housing options
- Fair housing information
- Assistance for renters and first-time homebuyers
- Home rehabilitation programs for qualifying homeowners
El Paso County Housing Authority
Offers affordable housing for low-income families in areas outside the El Paso city limits, including Tornillo, Fabens, Clint, San Elizario, Socorro, Horizon, Vinton, and Canutillo. Focuses on promoting self-sufficiency and community development.
Housing Authority of the City of El Paso
Provides low-income residents within the city access to affordable housing through property development, leasing, and management throughout the years.
Helps individuals, including those with disabilities or special needs, find affordable, accessible housing that supports health and well-being.
Offers affordable housing options, including apartments, duplexes, and single-family homes for qualifying families. Properties are maintained, accessible to public transportation, and located near community resources.
Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA)
Provides rental assistance for low-income individuals with disabilities.
- Supports independent living
- Connects housing with long-term services
- Offers integrated and subsidized housing options
Grief Support El Paso - Creating a community that provides hope, support, and education to anyone wishing to understand the complicated experience of life after loss.
Postpartum Support International - Experiencing the loss of a pregnancy, infant, or child brings unimaginable pain, grief, and isolation, and is associated with an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms. Non-judgmental support, information, and connection with others are available to you.
Texas Tech Health El Paso Student Counseling Services - Texas Tech Health El Paso counseling services are available through students' payment of the Student Services Fee and Student Medical Fee. These resources are provided to enhance wellness by providing the opportunity to manage life's problems before they become serious and impair your academic and professional performance.
Faculty and staff are encouraged to approach pregnant and parenting students with empathy and flexibility, recognizing that each student’s experience and needs may vary.
Students are not required to disclose a pregnancy. If a student chooses to share this information, please encourage them to complete the Pregnancy Support Form so they can learn about available resources. All information is kept private and will not be disclosed by our office.
You may receive faculty notifications regarding excused absences or academic adjustments. These requests have been verified, and our documentation is sufficient. Please work with the students to ensure they are not academically penalized.
If you have questions about faculty notifications or would like to request a Title IX Training Workshop on Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Students, please email titleixcoordinator@ttuhsc.edu.
- For Texas Tech Health El Paso Human Resources questions regarding parenting and pregnancy, FMLA, or parental leave, please contact elphrbenefitsadmin@ttep.edu
- Texas Tech Health El Paso Benefits Information, including FMLA
- Pregnant Workers Fairness Act
- FLSA Protections to Pump at Work