Parenting

"Don't worry that children never listen to you; worry that they
are always watching you." Robert Fulghum

IUPUI Center for Young Children

General

Anyone who has a child and works outside the home and/or goes to school knows that addressing childcare issues can be a major concern. Here at IUPUI we are fortunate to have available the services of the on-campus Center for Young Children.

Picture a world where there is an intimate, family atmosphere due to the fact that each classroom looks like a friendly house with a distinctive design and paint color and opens onto an indoor park. Picture a place where all the primary teachers are professionals in early childhood education with bachelor's degrees and each classroom has at least one assistant teacher. Picture a setting where parents can view their children at work through one-way glass and can access a library just for parents. Picture a spot where there are outdoor playgrounds for various age groups, access to music education and all the benefits of a licensed child care program that is also accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). You get the picture - it's great!

Location

321 North Limestone Street (south of Ronald McDonald house).

Eligibility and Available Services

The Center focuses on children ages 2-5 (by September 1) throughout the school year, but accepts children up to the age of 12 during summer vacation. Part-time (half or full days) services are available to accommodate a parent's class/work schedule. While there is often a waiting list for classes, it changes all the time.

Assistance for Low-Income Students

Financial assistance is available to eligible Pell-Grant students with children. Vouchers, available from the Children's Bureau, are also accepted.

For More Information

Go to www.childcare.iupui.edu, call the Center for Young Children at 274-3508 or go to cccenter@iupui.edu to send them a message.

Adoption

Adoption can be a rewarding experience but sorting through the process can be difficult and time-consuming. Here is some information that can help.

As an IUPUI employee considering adoption, you may want to consider using FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act) leave. As early as possible, contact Human Resources at 274-8931 (274-4627 for faculty) for specific FMLA eligibility requirements and additional information or visit http://www.hra.iupui.edu/Policy_Manual/policy/10_8.html (staff employees); http://www.hra.iupui.edu/SM_Policy_Manual/policy/3_6.asp (service and maintenance employees). (faculty).

To learn about children available for adoption in central Indiana and about Indiana's legal regulations in regard to adoption, go to the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration Web site at http://www.state.in.us/fssa/.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' National Adoption Information Clearinghouse is a comprehensive resource on all aspects of adoption. You can contact them at http://naic.acf.hhs.gov/

The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption Web site has a listing of resources, a newsletter and more at http://www.davethomasfoundationforadoption.com/.

RESOLVE: The National Infertility Association has information on infertility, treatment, coping, pregnancy and adoption. You can also find your local chapter. Go to http://www.resolve.org/main/national/index.jsp?name=home.

For information on adoption-related tax information, go to the Internal Revenue Service Web site at http://www.irs.ustreas.gov and put the word "adoption" in the "Search IRS Web site for" box.

Some recommended adoption books include:

Patricia Irwin Johnson - "Taking Charge of Infertility" - has a good chapter on decision-making and one on considering adoption
Patricia Irwin Johnson - "Launching a Baby's Adoption"
Patricia Irwin Johnson - "Adopting After Infertility"
Lois Melina - "Raising Adopted Children"
H. David Kirk - "Shared Fate: A Theory and Method of Adoptive Relationships" - a classic (and helpful) sociological study of adoption
Cheri Register - "Are Those Kids Yours?: American Families with Children Adopted from Other Countries"
Mary Hopkins-Best - "Toddler Adoption: The Weaver's Craft" - excellent on adopting children over 12 months of age and really helpful with second adoptions
Mary Watkins and Susan Fisher - "Talking with Young Children About Adoption"
Jean and Michael Carter - "Sweet Grapes" - has a terrific chapter on considering adoption
Jana Wolff - "Secret Thoughts of an Adoptive Mother" - very funny and brutally honest

"It is never too late for joy to arrive."
Spanish Proverb