Welcome! This page is dedicated to supporting all members of the Lehigh community who are expecting a child, raising children, and providing other forms of caregiving.
Do you have helpful information or a resource that you don't see listed? Is anything out of date? Let us know at incge@lehigh.edu!
- jump to Planning for childcare
- jump to Medical care at every stage of pregnancy
Lehigh policies regarding leave and accommodations
Check back soon! We are currently working to add the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Planning for childcare
Childcare in the U.S. can often be expensive and difficult to reserve. Depending on where you live, it may be a good idea to look into securing a spot in daycare even before your baby arrives, as each daycare center has different waitlist times.
Bright Horizons at Lehigh Child Care Center is available to families affiliated with Lehigh University and is located in Saucon Village on Goodman Campus. There are many other options for child care as well. Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) are the hub of child care information in your area. Region 14 serves Lehigh and Northampton counties. ELRCs provide you and your family with information on quality child care and personalized child care referrals to child care providers based on your specific needs or preferences. ELRCs also administer the Child Care Works subsidized child care program. Keystone STARS helps people understand how to identify a quality childcare center by rating child care programs from one to four STARS on things you care about. Programs may meet state regulations for safety, and offer a kid-friendly atmosphere with good teachers that partner with you to help your child learn. You can use FindHelp.com to find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Programs on the network are searchable by location and service type so that finding the right resource is easy. Sophisticated filters refine search results as deep as you need, resulting in the most relevant resources for your users. All programs are vetted and regularly reviewed.
Medical care at every stage of pregnancy
Undergraduate and graduate students are encouraged to first visit Lehigh's Health and Wellness Center where they can get referrals for specialized ob-gyn and prenatal care. Faculty and staff are encouraged to first consult their health insurance's directory of medical providers to determine what services and providers are covered.
There are two major hospital networks in the Lehigh Valley. For information about pregnancy and childbirth at each of the hospitals, you can check out LVHN Pregnancy Care and Childbirth and St. Luke's Women's and Babies Centers. There are also other, smaller health networks, many of which offer comprehensive and gender-inclusive reproductive care. One such provider in our community is the Allentown Women's Center, which provides quality reproductive health care to people of all genders in an environment where no one is judged for their choices. Their staff includes bilingual health care advocates who are trained and experienced in talking about abortion, adoption, and parenthood without pressure or judgment.
Need financial or social assistance? Check out these Benefits and Programs available to residents of the Lehigh Valley.
Are you a graduate student or the partner/spouse of a grad student? You can find more resources here.
Are you here as an international student or scholar? You can find more resources here.
- jump to Lactation/chestfeeding
- jump to Famiy-friendly activities
- jump to Caring for LGBTQ+ children
- jump to Caring for disabled children
- jump to Support for parents
Child care
Bright Horizons at Lehigh Child Care Center is available to families affiliated with Lehigh University and is located in Saucon Village on Goodman Campus. There are many other options for child care as well. Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) are the hub of child care information in your area. Region 14 serves Lehigh and Northampton counties. ELRCs provide you and your family with information on quality child care and personalized child care referrals to child care providers based on your specific needs or preferences. ELRCs also administer the Child Care Works subsidized child care program. Keystone STARS helps people understand how to identify a quality childcare center by rating child care programs from one to four STARS on things you care about. Programs may meet state regulations for safety, and offer a kid-friendly atmosphere with good teachers that partner with you to help your child learn. You can use FindHelp.com to find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Programs on the network are searchable by location and service type so that finding the right resource is easy. Sophisticated filters refine search results as deep as you need, resulting in the most relevant resources for your users. All programs are vetted and regularly reviewed.
Lactation/chestfeeding
The Center for Gender Equity supports nursing, lactation, and feeding of children wherever the parent is comfortable. For those looking for a quiet space, please take a look at the Lactation Friendly rooms available on campus.
Family-friendly activities
The Lehigh Valley is home to a wide variety of activities for families. The Bethlehem Area Public Library is a great resource for free programming throughout the year, such as story times, crafts, and other educational experiences. DiscoverLehighValley.com has a list of family-friendly activities. Lehigh Valley with Littles also maintains an up-to-date calendar for local events for young children as well as for older children.
Caring for LGBTQ+ children
The Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center provides a variety of youth programs to build youth leadership, build community, encourage healthy living, and to promote artistic expression for LGBTQ+ youth in the Lehigh Valley. Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center also hosts a community group specifically for parents of trans kids.
PFLAG Nazareth/Lehigh Valley is based in Nazareth, PA and serves the Lehigh Valley and surrounding area. They meet on a weekly basis. LGBTQIA+ people and family and friends of LGBTQIA+ people are invited to attend for support, education, advocacy, and fellowship.
Caring for disabled children
The Special Kids Network (SKN) helpline assists providers and parents of children and youth with special health care needs (CYSHCN) access local services and supports. SKN connects families to resources within their community to allow CYSHCN to be successful and develop to their full potential. SKN serves children and youth with physical, developmental, behavioral or emotional needs from birth through age 21.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. By funding services and supports provided primarily by networks of community-based organizations, and with investments in research, education, and innovation, ACL helps make this principle a reality for millions of Americans.
Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit agency that provides services for children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is comprised of numerous agencies that provide resources for caregivers who take care of an aging, seriously ill, or disabled family member or friend.
Support for parents
Adopt PA Kids offers support services for adoptive families. This support comes from professionals in the medical or adoption community such as doctors, psychiatrists, psychologists and therapeutic support staff, as well as from just talking to or meeting with other adoptive parents who have had similar experiences.
PFLAG Nazareth/Lehigh Valley is based in Nazareth, PA and serves the Lehigh Valley and surrounding area. They meet on a weekly basis. LGBTQIA+ people and family and friends of LGBTQIA+ people are invited to attend for support, education, advocacy, and fellowship.
Caregiver Action Network is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease.
The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program provides resources and assistance to individuals who assume the primary responsibility for the provision of care to encourage a healthy, ongoing relationship with their care receiver. The program aims to alleviate the stresses associated with caregiving by focusing on the well-being of the caregiver, providing access to respite care, addressing the need for formal and informal supports, and providing financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs associated with caregiving-related services and supplies.
The Autism Services, Education, Resources, and Training Collaborative (ASERT) is a statewide initiative funded by the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). ASERT provides resources for parents and caregivers and hosts a directory of support groups throughout the state.
Autism Society Lehigh Valley also has parent/caregiver support groups.
Need financial or social assistance? Check out these Benefits and Programs available to residents of the Lehigh Valley.
Are you a graduate student or the partner/spouse of a grad student? You can find more resources here.
Are you here as an international student or scholar? You can find more resources here.
- Jump to Support for caregivers
Finding care for elders and other adult dependents
Northampton County’s Area Agency on Aging (AAA) is designated by the state to address the needs and concerns of all older persons at the regional and local levels. The AAA coordinates and offers services that help older adults remain in their homes - if that is their preference - aided by services such as Meals-on-Wheels, homemaker assistance, and whatever else it may take to make independent living a viable option. By making a range of options available, the AAA makes it possible for older individuals to choose the services and living arrangements that suit them best.
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) was created around the fundamental principle that older adults and people of all ages with disabilities should be able to live where they choose, with the people they choose, and with the ability to participate fully in their communities. By funding services and supports provided primarily by networks of community-based organizations, and with investments in research, education, and innovation, ACL helps make this principle a reality for millions of Americans. The ACL offers FAQs and resources for caregivers and hosts an edlercare locator wesbite. Other options for community care include adult day centers and senior community centers.
You can use FindHelp.com to find free or reduced-cost resources like food, housing, financial assistance, health care, and more. Programs on the network are searchable by location and service type so that finding the right resource is easy. Sophisticated filters refine search results as deep as you need, resulting in the most relevant resources for your users. All programs are vetted and regularly reviewed.
The SAGE LGBT Elder Hotline provides advocacy and services for LGBT older adults age 50 and over. Phone number to call for support: 1-888-234-SAGE.
Via of the Lehigh Valley is a non-profit agency that provides services for children and adults with disabilities like autism, cerebral palsy, and Down syndrome.
Support for caregivers
The Pennsylvania Caregiver Support Program provides resources and assistance to individuals who assume the primary responsibility for the provision of care to encourage a healthy, ongoing relationship with their care receiver. The program aims to alleviate the stresses associated with caregiving by focusing on the well-being of the caregiver, providing access to respite care, addressing the need for formal and informal supports, and providing financial reimbursement for out-of-pocket costs associated with caregiving-related services and supplies.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is comprised of numerous agencies that provide resources for caregivers who take care of an aging, seriously ill, or disabled family member or friend.
AARP provides numerous FAQs and resources for caregiving.
The Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA) provides services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Their services include assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers. Ongoing support is available with FCA CareNav™, also now on a digital service platform. FCA is a longtime advocate for caregivers in the areas of policy, health and social system development, research, and public awareness, on the state, national and international levels.
Caregiver Action Network is a non-profit organization providing education, peer support, and resources to family caregivers across the country free of charge. CAN serves a broad spectrum of family caregivers ranging from the parents of children with significant health needs, to the families and friends of wounded soldiers; from a young couple dealing with a diagnosis of MS, to adult children caring for parents with Alzheimer’s disease.
Need financial or social assistance? Check out these Benefits and Programs available to residents of the Lehigh Valley.
Are you a graduate student or the partner/spouse of a grad student? You can find more resources here.
Are you here as an international student or scholar? You can find more resources here.