Your Rights
- If you attend a DC Public School, you have the right to equal treatment. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex-including pregnancy and parental status-in educational programs and activities.
- If you attend a DC Public School and you are pregnant, you have the right to continue participating in classes and extracurricular activities.
- If you attend a DC Public School, your school must provide you with reasonable adjustments, like a larger desk, elevator access or allowing you to make frequent trips to the restroom, when necessary because of your pregnancy.
- If you attend a DC Public School, your school must excuse absences due to pregnancy or childbirth for as long as your doctor says it is necessary.
- If you attend a DC Public School, you school must allow you to return to the same academic and extracurricular status as before your medical leave began, which should include giving you the opportunity to make up any work missed while you were out.
- A school must provide a parent with an opportunity to inspect and review his or her child’s education records within 45 days following its receipt of a request. –FERPA
- You have the right to consent on your own to all health care that affects your pregnancy and childbirth. You also have the right to consent on your own to all health care for you and your child.
What does it mean to be a parent?
According to Duhaime’s Law Dictionary, a parent is an individual who, in law, has custody, guardianship or access rights in regards to a child.
In DC, the Child Support Services Decision defines a “natural parent” as either the biological mother or father of a child. A natural parent has the responsibility to meet the child’s basic needs and provide financial, medical and other support for the child until the child reaches the age of twenty-one (21).
Things you should know
- You have the right to decide whether or not you would like to be a parent.
- If you are not the parent with custody, child support in DC will be calculated according to the custodial parent and non-custodial parent’s income under the District of Columbia Child Support Guideline.
- Pregnant women, new mothers, infants, and children up to 5 receive:
- Nutrition counseling and education
- Breastfeeding resources and support
- Nutrient-rich foods
- Immunization assessment and screening
- Referrals to health and social service providers
All this at no cost to the participants! For more information, visit the Department of Health website: http://doh.dc.gov/service/wic-benefits
Here’s where you should go, if you are having issues with parenting:
- If you need assistance paying for child care fees, you can apply for the Child Care Subsidy program. Please visit the DC Department of Health Services site for more information.
- If you need assistance with health care, social services or educational opportunities, the Health Babies Project, Inc. may be able to help you. To see their services, please visit here.
- Genetic Testing: If the man named as the child's father is not sure if he is the father, or denies that he is, the court may order a genetic test. If the test proves he is the child's father, the court will issue an order that establishes the child's paternity. This order is legal proof establishing your child's parentage.
If you want to get involved in our fight for parenting support:
Contact the Mayor and City Council
Speak Your Mind- share a message with us about your education experience.
Join the movement, by becoming part of our staff, or by helping us.