Access to free diapers has never been more convenient.
Starting in 2019, student parents were able to access free diapers at the Amendola Family Student Cupboard.
Now, because of the Parent Scholar Initiative, student parents have access to 50 free diapers per diaper-wearing child every month, through the Student Health and Counseling Center.
The Parent Scholar Initiative
Melissa Norris is the leader of the Parent Scholar Initiative and explained how the program originally began because of the Bold Ideas Challenge at Fresno State during the 2019-20 academic school year.
“The goal with our Parent Scholar Initiative is to connect parent scholars to all of the resources that can help them navigate their experience at Fresno State so that they can persist and graduate,” Norris said.
Norris explained that 1 in 5 college students are currently raising children.
The Parent Scholar Initiative offers services beyond free diapers to make the journey easier for student parents, including on-campus childcare, support from Title IX offices and free food at the student cupboard.
“Providing this supplemental support is one way we can alleviate some of the stressors our Parent Scholars face,” Norris said. “For some of our students, these diapers are enough to offset expenses so that they can afford gas to drive to school and back that week.”
How the free diaper program works
After students fill out a request form on the Student Health and Counseling Center website, 50 free diapers (per diaper-wearing child) are available within days.
“Requests are fulfilled within two business days and students are contacted to let them know they are ready for pick-up, and provided instructions on where they can pick them up in the Student Health and Counseling Center,” Norris said.
Norris emphasized that self-certification as a student parent is crucial because it allows Fresno State to effectively supply them with the resources they need.
“It first starts by identifying who our Parent Scholars are at Fresno State,” she said. “We are continuing to encourage all Parent Scholars to self-certify so that we can connect them to resources and information to support them in their journey at Fresno State, including offering priority registration.”
In the real world
An estimated 1,300 students are self-identified student parents at Fresno State.
Danielle Pinon is a senior at Fresno State and a mother to her two-and-a-half-year-old son. She explained how the free diaper program has impacted her experience as a college-parent.
“It helps me and my family when we are low on funds and not able to buy my son diapers; [it] also takes away stress and worry for other parents in-need because diapers are quite a lot of money,” Pinon said.
Pinon pointed out that free childcare on campus not only offers financial relief, but also fosters a sense of belonging.
“It’s created such a great community with opportunities and support from other parents and teachers and students,” she said.
Pinon plans for her education to continue beyond her upcoming graduation this year in a master’s degree program.
“After I graduate from the program, my goal and hope is to be enrolled in the Master of Science in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling,” she said. “And after graduating [from] that program, I hope to be a marriage family therapist that specializes in trauma.”
Danielle Rose, a second year student pursuing a Master of Marriage, Family and Child Counseling, is expecting her first child.
Rose works in the Student Health and Counseling Center as a wellness coordinator, so she has seen the free diaper program first hand.
“I think it’s a great way to ease student parents’ financial stress and save some money with one less diaper run to the store,” Rose said. “I hope more student parents realize how much support is accessible through Fresno State and the [Student Health and Counseling Center].”
Rose will finish out her college career as a new mom, and she knows that the Parent Scholar Initiative, with free diapers and access to childcare, will be there with support and resources when the time comes.
“The Parent Scholars have helped me connect to resources that will support my journey in graduating,” she said. “It’s important to have free access to childcare on campus to allow students [to] focus on their studies without the worry of who can watch their little ones.”
