Family

Family3

Notre Dame Resources and Policies
Childcare and Schools
Family Fun
Funds and Assistance for Homeowners
Family Health and Wellness Resources

Notre Dame Resources and Policies

Family Resource Center

"The Notre Dame Family Resource Center (FRC) provides support services to married, parenting, and/or pregnant students to ensure all families thrive at Notre Dame. Through year-round educational and social programming, the FRC is dedicated to building community for Notre Dame’s married, parenting, and/or pregnant students and their families and to working with established partners throughout the University to connect these students with resources to enhance their intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual formation."

Spouse ID Card

Spouses of degree-seeking students in the Graduate School (engineering, humanities, science, and social sciences) may request a Spouse ID Card through the Graduate School. ID cards allow spouses access to student events, RecSports facilities, and the Hesburgh Libraries, and allow spouses to purchase dining hall meal plans.

University Accommodation Policy for New Student Parents

To assist graduate students who are new parents, the University offers a supplement, not an addition, to the six week medical separation policy as outlines in the University Accommodation Policy for New Student Parents. The accommodation provides students with a semester (16 weeks) to adjust to new parenthood. It is not a leave of absence; it is an accommodation. Students maintain their standing as students and are eligible for financial support. For more information, turn to the Family Support Resources on the Graduate School website.

University Policy for Pregnant Students in Labs

Childcare and Schools

Early Childhood Development Center

The Early Childhood Development Center (ECDC) is a nonprofit early care and education program partially funded by Saint Mary's College and the University of Notre Dame to serve their communities. ECDC operates with a tuition scholarship structure based on gross family income, and is licensed by the Indiana Department of Child Care and accredited with the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

Bright Horizons Back-up Care

Recognizing the importance of having more time and flexibility to meet your family’s need, the University provides a benefit to assist faculty, staff, and graduate students in managing personal commitments.

The Bright Horizons Back-Up Care program includes:

Back-up care for unexpected, short-term child or elder care needs and virtual tutoring
An online provider directory for on-going family care solutions

For more childcare and education resources, visit find.nd.edu.

Family Fun

South Bend Chocolate Factory

The South Bend Chocolate Factory isn't just a great place for a sweet treat or bite to eat. The factory offers tours with sampling at their location in South Bend!

Michael's Crafting with Kids Classes

Does your kiddo love to play with glitter and glue? Michael's craft stores have great opportunities for craft classes (some offered online) for your budding crafter.

St. Joseph County Library Kids' Activities

The St. Joe Libraries offer TONS of free activities for kiddos, especially during the summer months. From story times to crafting classes, there's something for every child.

The O'Brian Center/Battell Park Splash Pads

South Bend and Mishawaka have some awesome splash pads that are open daily and free. The areas also have picnic tables for a lovely lunch outside.

BK Root Beer Stand

A hidden gem in Mishawaka, for kids of every age. Enjoy drive-up service at BK where you can get their home-brewed root beer and old-school coney dogs.

For more kid-friendly, family fun options, explore the Things to do in Michiana page.

Funds and Assistance for Homeowners

Home Weatherization

The Home Weatherization "program helps income-eligible households reduce fuel consumption and fuel expenses by providing weatherization measures for homes at no cost to those served. These procedures include: health and safety inspection on the furnace and water heater, cellulose insulation in attics and sidewalls."

Energy Assistance Program

"The REAL Services’ Energy Assistance Program is a state-funded program that assists low-income households with electric and heating expenses during the winter months."

Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

"The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low and no income people and families living in the United States (U.S.). It is a federal aid program administered by the Food and Nutrition Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ."

Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)

"The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants & Children (WIC) is a nutrition program that helps pregnant women, new mothers, infants and children eat well and stay healthy. Housed under the USDA, WIC provides nutrition education, nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and healthcare referrals for income-eligible women who are pregnant or post-partum, infants, and children up to age 5. The program is nationally recognized as an effective way to improve access to nutritious foods, promoting healthier eating habits and lifestyle choices."

Family and Social Services Administration

"Family and Social Services Administration is a health care and social service funding agency. Ninety-four percent (94%) of the agency's total budget is paid to thousands of service providers ranging from major medical centers to a physical therapist working with a child or adult with a developmental disability. The five care divisions in FSSA administer services to over one million Hoosiers."

The Shirt Charity Fund

The Shirt Charity Fund assists Notre Dame students with extraordinary medical conditions who have demonstrated financial need which requires payment beyond their means. Applications can be submitted for medical reimbursement relating to the aforementioned extraordinary medical condition (medical supplies, hospital bills, surgery bills, prescriptions, etc.). . . .

For more financial information, please visit the Financial Well-Being page.

Family Health and Wellness Resources

Notre Dame Wellness Center

The Notre Dame Wellness Center team includes a physician, nurse practitioner, physical therapist, registered nurses, and other medical support personnel. The center provides services to University staff, faculty, and student dependents.

If you want your spouse and/or dependent children to have access to the Notre Dame Wellness Center, please complete the Graduate Student Family Verification Form.

Hoosier Healthwise Program

"Hoosier Healthwise is a health insurance program for Indiana children, pregnant women, and low-income parents/caretakers. Health care is provided at little or no cost to Indiana families enrolled in the program. The enrolled member chooses a doctor to get regular checkups and health care for illnesses. Other health needs such as prescriptions, dental care, vision care, family planning services, and mental health services are also available as part of the Hoosier Healthwise program."

Marital Therapy and Research Clinic

"The Marital Therapy and Research Clinic provides psychological services for individuals and married and unmarried couples. Service are provided free of charge to Notre Dame students and for a nominal fee to non-student spouses. If you have been feeling depressed, anxious or are experiencing problems in your relationship, therapists at the clinic will work with you to relieve you from distress and help you develop self-confidence to live a more empowered life. They use proven techniques to improve well-being, and provide the best care in a confidential and supportive setting."

Family First

"The mission of Family First is simple; to serve the family. We take a creative and digital approach to our mission. As a 501c3 national non-profit organization, our goal is to use modern technology and offline events to strengthen the family by establishing “family” as a top priority in people’s lives. We do this by promoting and advocating principles for building marriages and parenting today’s children. We take a multi-tiered approach; one that fits every family right where they are. We serve fathers through our program All Pro Dad. We serve mothers through our program iMOM. We serve the family as a whole through our radio broadcast The Family Minute with Mark Merrill."