Family Services offers a wide variety of resources and programs for University of Iowa families.
Child Care Resources
Faculty, Staff and Students
Child Care Resources
Student Parents
Mental Health Resources
University Counseling Services provides mental health resources for student parents
Informal Networking Opportunities
Informal networking opportunities are available on various apps and social media outlets, including:
Please note that the University of Iowa does not endorse any child care providers, and it does not conduct any suitability, background or criminal checks of any provider in this process. It is ultimately your responsibility to evaluate the provider you select before hiring for care.
Other Resources
University of Iowa Leaves and Support
- Adoption Assistance Pilot Program
- Paid Absences, University Policy Manual
- Benefits
Local and National Resources
Child Care Resources
- Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral
- Search for registered family day care homes and licensed child care centers
- Iowa Family Child Care Association
- Johnson County Child Health Services
- Upwards Child Care Map; a list of local registered daycares
Please note that the University of Iowa does not endorse any child care providers, and it does not conduct any suitability, background or criminal checks of any provider in this process. It is ultimately your responsibility to evaluate the provider you select before hiring for care.
Financial Assistance
- Child Care Subsidy Program: Eligibility criteria, application process, and online application
- Office of Student Financial Aid, 319-335-1450: Student loans through the Office of Student Financial Aid may be available to help with child care costs. To apply, a student must have a FAFSA, federal tax return, and University of Iowa Verification Form on file with Financial Aid.
- Iowa Department of Human Services/Child Care Assistance: Eligibility based on income
- Johnson County Empowerment Funding: Eligibility based on income
- HACAP/Head Start Educational Programs
- National Guard and Other Branches of the Military: For National Guard families seeking child care financial assistance; call 1-800-424-2246 or email ngccp@guardfamily.org
UI Benefits
- Dependent Care Spending Plan: Available to UI staff and faculty as a flexible benefit option to assist with child care expenses; contact UI Benefits office 319-335-2676 for more information
- Family Caregiving Leave, Policy Manual
- Employee Leave Overview
- Catastrophic Leave, Policy Manual
Child Care Aware
Child Care Aware is partly funded by the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and includes information on types of care, choosing child care, and evaluating providers.
State of Iowa Licensing and Quality Indicators
National Quality Standards
Making it Work at Work: A New Parent's Guide to Returning to Work at University of Iowa
Caring for your Child
Grief and Loss
Perinatal Mental Health Issues
- Women’s Wellness and Counseling Service at UI Health Care
- The Postpartum Stress Center: A non-local postpartum mental health care clinic with helpful links, resources, and book suggestions
- Postpartum Support International
- Iowa’s Perinatal Depression Project
Support Groups
- National Postpartum Depression Hotline: 1-800-PPD-MOMS
- Postpartum Support International PPD Helpline (not a 24-hour hotline): 1-800-944-4773