Pregnant and Parenting Student Support Plan

Consistent with Federal Title IX, Maryland state bill 15-140(b) and college policy 63.01.D.01, HCC does not discriminate on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, or recovery from any of these conditions, and does not apply any rule on parental, family, or marital status that treats students differently based on sex.  

• HCC will not exclude a pregnant student from any class, program, or activity. 
• Any special program for pregnant students will be voluntary and comparable to what is offered to other students. 
• HCC will not require a doctor's note to continue attending unless all students in the same course or activity must provide medical clearance. 
• Students may file complaints of pregnancy or parenting-related discrimination, or harassment with the college Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator by completing the Pregnancy and Parenting Information Request Form.

Pregnancy and related conditions

HCC provides reasonable modifications to students who are pregnant or have pregnancy-related conditions, including childbirth, false pregnancy, miscarriage, and recovery.

Parenting students

HCC provides reasonable pregnancy and parenting modifications during the immediate period, following birth (up to 120 days) to students becoming parents through childbirth, adoption, or foster care placement. Currently enrolled students can petition the college Title-IX coordinator or the Deputy Title-IX Coordinator by completing the Pregnancy and Parenting Information Request Form.

Lactation

The Wellness Center has a private lactation room located within the Academic Commons. There is a lactation room located on the first floor of Hickory Ridge, next to Campus Safety, as well as an additional lactation room located inside the Howard Hub. Students who need to use the lactation room may request access to accommodation through the HCC Wellness Center (CL-178), the Office of Workforce Career and Community Education (HR-170), the Howard Hub (RCF-234) and the Office of Campus Safety (RCF-100) for general access to all lactation spaces. In cases where emergency access is needed, please seek a campus safety officer station located near the main entrance of most campus buildings or by calling 410-518-5550. 

How to request modifications (accommodation)

Students may submit accommodation requests by completing the Pregnancy and Parenting Information Request Form.

There are certain pregnancy and parenting accommodation requests which meet the criteria for the provision of ADA-specific accommodations. Students may petition accommodations by speaking with a Disability Support Services Counselor (RCF-302).

Jarrell Anderson, Title IX Coordinator (Associate Vice President, Student Success)
janderson3@howardcc.edu, 443-518-4182, Plan owner

Christy L. Koontz, Deputy Title IX Coordinator (Director of Student Rights and Responsibilities)
ckoontz@howardcc.edu, 443-518-3182, Plan coordinator

The HCC Wellness Center, Advising, Financial Aid and Title IX Office can connect students with resources to help meet basic needs and access government assistance programs:

Commitment

HCC’s Wellness Center will provide pregnant students accurate, neutral information about all options, including parenting and adoption, and will present adoption and parenting information with equal visibility to other options on every pregnancy-related web page and printed resources. Decision making is the student’s responsibility. HCC and staff will not guide students toward any decision regarding the use of resources.

Adoption Resources

National Adoption Hotline
1-800-ADOPTION (1-800-236-7846)
A free resource, available 24/7 with no obligation.

Maryland-Licensed Adoption Agencies
State information, services and a directory of Licensed Child Placement Agencies as provided by the Maryland Department of Human Services, Office of Licensing and Monitoring.

Adoption-Related Accommodation
Students who adopt, or receive a foster placement, are eligible for parenting accommodation.

HCC Counseling Support
At no additional charge, HCC offers confidential Mental Health Counseling (RCF-302, 443-518-1340) and 24/7 teletherapy through UWill.

Howard Community College does not operate a primary care or prenatal clinic. The HCC Wellness Center offers health information, referrals, and community partnerships.

Campus-based support

Disability Support Services (RCF-302)
Contact the DSS office for pregnancy-related conditions that are also disabilities. Please speak to a counselor to learn more information about the nuances of this request.
443-518-1300
DisabilitySupport@HowardCC.edu

Family Study Rooms
HCC offers three, on-campus family study rooms located within the Clark Library, the Academic Center for Excellence, and the Howard Hub.

Mental Health Counseling (RCF-302)
Individual and group counseling at no additional charge.
443-518-1340
Counseling@HowardCC.edu

Pregnant and Parenting Modifications
Requests should be made to the Title IX Coordinator using the Pregnancy and Parenting Information Request Form.

Parking and Transportation Accommodations
Please contact the Office of Campus Safety if you are a student who requires assistance with transportation to academic buildings from campus-based locations, including all campus-based parking locations.
443-518-5500, or any blue emergency phone located adjacent to campus buildings

Wellness Center (Cl-176)
HCC's Wellness Center offers health information, referrals, lactation room access, and a sexual health clinic run in coordination with the Howard County Health Department.

Parent Scholars Program (RCF-340)
An elective cohort program that provides campus resource support and community-based learning assistance, such as tutoring and access to family study rooms to parenting and caregiving students.

Uwill
Uwill offers students free immediate access to teletherapy, a direct crisis connection, and wellness programming through its easy-to-use online platform.

For emergencies, please contact Campus Safety at 410-518-5555.

Community-based support

Howard County Health Department
The HCHD offers WIC, maternal and child health, sexual health services and other resources.

Maryland Health Connection for Medicaid/MCHP
Medicaid health care enrollment support, including support for the special enrollment period for circumstances involving pregnancy.

For emergencies, please call 911.

In accordance with MD Code §15-140, Howard Community College collects data pertaining to pregnant and parenting students, which can be requested through the Office of Planning Research and Organizational Development.