A support group for new and expecting parents at UCSB is the result of recently launched work/life initiative on behalf of this group of employees that also includes private rooms on campus where mothers can breast-feed their infants.

The Pregnancy and Newborn Support group meets monthly at noon on the third Tuesday of each month at the Women’s Center and is facilitated by Cheryl Clearwater, a certified childbirth educator and counselor (also known as a doula). Clearwater can be reached at 971-6294 or by sending e-mail to trustinbirth@yahoo.com.

“Babies and partners are welcome,” said Wendy Nishikawa, coordinator of the Work/Life Program, which sponsors the support group. “Participants are encouraged to bring questions, concerns, and stories, and will receive empowering information” as well as connections to other community resources.

The UCSB Work/Life Office has also recently secured lactation rooms in Kerr Hall (2172C) and Davidson Library (2503A) for mothers to feed their babies or to express milk. Reservations are required. See the July 19, 2004 issue of 93106 (available online at
<www.ia.ucsb.edu/93106>) for more details.

Though the new parents support group began last month, its ongoing nature coincides with the United States Senate’s unanimous designation of October as National Work and Family Month. In its declaration, the Senate found that “supporting a balance between work and personal life is in the best interest of national worker productivity.”