College for the Whole Family: Resources That Help Student-Parents Succeed

Sept. 28, 2026

Between classes, assignments, work shifts and family responsibilities, being a student and a parent can feel like a full-time juggling act. At Dallas College, we know many students aren't just working toward a degree. They're also raising children, caring for their families and building a better future for the people who depend on them. 

That's why Dallas College offers a variety of programs, services and family-friendly amenities designed to help student-parents succeed both in and out of the classroom. 

Family Care: Your Built-In Support Team 

For Stephanie Perez-Pantoja, juggling full-time night shifts as a registered nurse while pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and raising her young son has been anything but easy. But she found extra support through the Dallas College Family Care Program. 

The Family Care Program connects student-parents with a personalized support team that includes a student care coordinator, success coach, professional licensed counselor and academic tutor. Together, these resources help students navigate the challenges of balancing school, work and family life.   

Students in the program can also earn up to $500 in gift cards throughout the semester by completing program milestones, such as meeting with their support team and participating in enrichment workshops. 

“The support, resources and check-ins helped me stay motivated and reminded me that I wasn't going through it alone,” Stephanie said. “The program helped reduce some of the stress that comes with trying to balance work, school and family, allowing me to stay focused on completing my courses successfully. Balancing nursing school, full-time work and raising my son hasn't always been easy, but knowing there were people and resources available made a difference.” 

Enrollment in the Family Care Program is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Find more information about the program and how to sign up. 

Learn and Connect With Student-Parent Workshops 

Even if you're not enrolled in the Family Care Program, Dallas College offers support groups and workshops that are now open to all students. 

These sessions cover a variety of topics related to parenting, including post-partum, fatherhood, nutrition, financial literacy and wellness. 

LaQuisha Owens is one student-parent who has found these workshops valuable in helping her gain practical tools to navigate daily life.  

“I really enjoyed the time management and stress management workshops,” she said. “Both sessions provided helpful tips that I was able to use in my daily routine. These workshops helped me stay organized, reduce stress and balance my family responsibilities with my schoolwork.” 

Beyond the information they provide, these workshops also give student-parents a chance to connect with others who understand the unique challenges of balancing family and higher education. 

Childcare To Keep You Moving Forward 

Access to childcare can be one of the biggest obstacles for student-parents pursuing a college education. Dallas College helps remove that barrier through childcare services offered on several campuses. 

One of those resources is Child Watch, a drop-in childcare program offered in partnership with the YMCA. Currently available at El Centro and Richland campuses, with plans to expand to Mountain View, Child Watch provides care on a first-come, first-served basis for up to four hours at a time. 

Whether you're attending class, meeting with an advisor or studying for an exam, Child Watch can help ensure that a lack of childcare doesn't get in the way of your educational goals. 

Family-Friendly Campuses Designed With Parents in Mind 

Support for student-parents goes beyond programs and services. Dallas College also offers a variety of campus amenities that help make daily life a little easier. 

Many campuses feature family study rooms in the Learning Commons where student-parents can study while keeping young children nearby. High chairs are available in campus eating areas. Additionally, family restrooms, diaper-changing stations and expectant mother parking is available on campus. 

Nursing mothers can use the Mamava lactation pods, located in various areas across our main campuses and centers. These pods provide a private space for breastfeeding or pumping. Locate the pods and check availability by downloading the free Mamava app and requesting an access code. 

In addition, dedicated lactation rooms are available at Brookhaven, Cedar Valley, Eastfield, Mountain View and Richland campuses. These rooms are part of the Stork's Nest program sponsored through the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. 

You can find a full list of family-friendly amenities and locations through our interactive campus maps. 

Join the Student-Parent Hub 

Want to stay up to date on the latest resources for student-parents? Be sure to join the Student-Parent Hub in eCampus to get updates, information and connect with other students-parents.

 

• Resources