Pregnant and Parenting Students Resource Guide
Kankakee Community College supports pregnant and parenting students as they balance academic, work, and family obligations. KCC strives to provide students with appropriate on and off-campus resources to allow students to be successful as they navigate their various roles and responsibilities.
It is the policy of Kankakee Community college to provide equal opportunity and protection against unlawful discrimination and harassment, as defined in the College’s Non-Discrimination and Non-Harassment Policy and Policy Prohibiting Sex-Based Misconduct, and as required by state and federal statutes and regulations. Pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the College “shall not discriminate against any student, or exclude any student from its education program or activity, on the basis of pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy or recovery therefrom.” 34 C.F.R. § 106.40(b).
The Pregnant and Parenting Students Resource Guide is intended to provide information and resources related to pregnancy, childbirth, false pregnancy, termination or loss of pregnancy, recovery from birth, and care for infants (including breastfeeding and pumping).
Frequently Asked Questions
If I am pregnant, will I be able to continue to attend Kankakee Community College?
Pregnant students may continue participating all classes and co-curricular activities and organizations. Students who are pregnant are treated in the same manner as students who have temporary medical conditions. Students have the right to request reasonable adjustments or accommodations to better help them continue their classes or co-curricular activities while pregnant or recovering from pregnancy or a related condition.
What are possible reasonable accommodations I can receive?
Reasonable accommodations for pregnant and parenting students may include, but are not limited to, providing a larger desk or workspace, extended deadlines, make-up test dates, alternate assignments to replace in-class participation, online course completion options, excused absences, or incomplete grades. Specific accommodation requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis and will depend on medical need and academic requirements.
How can I request reasonable accommodations?
A student should schedule an appointment with the Title IX Coordinator to discuss any request for accommodations.
Can I take a leave of absence due to pregnancy, childbirth, or parenting?
Yes, you can. All pregnant and parenting students wishing to take a leave of absence should contact the Director of Student Success request a leave and plan for a smooth return to the college after the leave ends. When you return to campus you will return to the same academic and co-curricular status as before the leave of absence began.
What if a faculty member says I cannot miss class, earn back missed participation, or make up missed work due to doctor appointments or recovery?
Although your professor may have an attendance and participation policy, they are bound by federal law to not discriminate against pregnant and parenting students. Faculty are obligated to excuse absences due to prenatal doctor appointments, labor and delivery, recovery, or other pregnancy related medical needs. Your absences can be excused for as long as your doctor deems it medically necessary and you should be given the opportunity to make up any missed work or participation points. Please contact the Title IX Coordinator if you have questions about your professor’s attendance policy as it relates to your pregnancy or related condition.
Will I be eligible for additional financial aid due to pregnancy or parenting?
It depends. Many factors go into determining a student’s Dependency Status as it relates to federal and institutional financial aid. It is recommended that you reach out to Student Financial Services to determine your individual eligibility.
I plan to or am currently breastfeeding and need a place to feed or pump. Where can I do that?
KCC has lactation rooms available in the Workforce Development Center, D214A and the North Extension Center, Room N208. For the South Extension Center, please contact Nancy Schunke at 815-802-8784. Contact Student Affairs at 815-802-8500, the Title IX Coordinator at 815-802-8510, or visit D220 for more information.
KCC Resources
Vice President for Student Affairs/Title IX Coordinator
Meredith Purcell
Riverfront Campus, Room L201
815-802-8510 | mpurcell@kcc.edu
Director of Student Success
Monica Quinlan
Riverfront Campus (Workforce Development Center), Room D227
815-802-8514 | mquinlan@kcc.edu
Coordinator of Disability Services
Kiley Zajdzinski
Riverfront Campus, Room L216
815-802-8632 | kzajdzinski@kcc.edu
Director of Financial Aid
Kendra Souligne
Riverfront Campus, Room L205
815-802-8556 | ksouligne@kcc.edu
Transformative Growth Counseling
Joe Phillips
Riverfront Campus (Workforce Development Center), Room D228
630-423-6010 | joe@transformativegrowth.org
Off Campus Resources
Living Alternative Pregnancy Resource Center
260 S. Washington Ave.
Kankakee, IL 60901
815-933-2207
Living Alternatives: Kankakee Location (open in new window)
Services: Pre-abortion screening, pregnancy testing, ultrasound exams, STI/STD testing and information, after abortion support, pregnancy and parenting education/mentoring, adoption support, pregnancy loss support, fatherhood support
River Valley Pregnancy Resource Center
200 N. Washington Ave.
Bradley, IL 60915
815-802-9917
River Valley Pregnancy Resource Center (open in new window)
Services: On-site pregnancy tests, post-abortion support, parenting and pregnancy resources, social service referrals and networking services, parental classes, STD education, miscarriage,stillborn and early infant death support, fatherhood support.
Riverside Medical Center
350 Wall Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
815-933-1671
Riverside Healthcare (open in new window)
St. Mary's Hospital
500 W. Court Street
Kankakee, IL 60901
815-937-2400
St. Mary's Hospital (open in new window)