Family Resources
Policies and benefits to guide learners and their families
Whether you plan to arrive with a partner, kids, or all of the above, you'll find Ann Arbor is special and has something for everyone. Michigan Medicine and our family-friendly city are packed with resources to help you get settled and ready to take on your new adventure together.
Where to Find Support
Family-friendly benefits: Learners will find many family-friendly policies and benefits during their training with us. These include health insurance options for themselves and their qualifying partners, spouses and/or children, as well as child care subsidies and campus resources like lactation rooms.
Parental leave: Benefits for postdocs include parental leave. PhD students fall under the Graduate Student Parental Accommodation Policy covered by Rackham Graduate School. Officer parental leave varies depending on individual situations. For medical students seeking parental leave, talk with your House Counselor to review your specific benefits and collaboratively create a plan to accommodate your situation.
Family support groups: The Student Caregivers website is a great resource to bookmark for future reference, and these parenting resources from the U-M Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) office.
Support courses: You can also take advantage of the classes and support groups available to new parents at Von Voigtlander Women’s Hospital and C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital.
Online groups: There are several Facebook groups for Ann Arbor and Metro Detroit parents, which some learners recommend for seeking advice, ideas for fun activities and meeting new friends.
Some families choose to buy a house or condo, or rent in nearby communities like Ypsilanti, Dexter and Canton, while others choose to live closer to campus in family-friendly grad student housing like Northwood. Check out your housing options in our Housing section.
Ideas For Your Partner
Job hunting: While it might take a little time and networking, there’s no shortage of leads if your significant other plans to seek employment in Ann Arbor. The University of Michigan is the largest employer in the city, and the region is rich with opportunities in private industry, government, school and nonprofit sectors. Coming from abroad? Get info about immigration and visas for international applicants.
The University of Michigan is by far the city’s biggest employer. However, there are many opportunities to consider beyond the U, too.
Volunteering: It’s also in the Ann Arbor ethos to give back and be generous with our time and talents. Volunteering in the community is a great way to do just that. Check out the United Way of Washtenaw County for places to get involved, in addition to service opportunities available through your Michigan Medicine connections.
Ideas for Your Kids
Many members of our community are parents or plan to become parents while they are with us. There are so many resources for students and trainees with families on campus, not to mention benefits to help your family thrive. Ann Arbor is one of the best cities to raise a family, and our C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital is ranked among the best in the country, and the top children’s hospital in the state.
Child care and schools: There are many excellent options to choose from when it comes to child care and schools in Ann Arbor, one of the most educated cities in the country. Learn more about the University of Michigan Children's Centers and more resources for parents seeking child care, including finding sick or backup child care and a U-M registry of qualified babysitters. You can find out if your family is eligible for a child care subsidy to help offset the costs of daycare. Search more child care and preschool options in Ann Arbor.
Michigan Medicine learners recommend asking other parents in your program about their recommendations. Contacting individual schools for in-person visits is another way to get a sense of their culture and vibe. If you have preschoolers, the Ann Arbor Public School system’s annual Kindergarten Round-ups will give you a preview of what to expect. Child care options can fill up quickly, so learners recommend starting your search as soon as you know you’ll be moving to Ann Arbor.
Accessible and Sensory-Friendly Kids Activities
Ann Arbor offers many options for accessible play for kids, including a universal access playground in Gallup Park, sensory-friendly events and low-cost adaptive sports.
C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital offers several support services, and U-M’s food allergy experts offer many resources for families living with food allergies. There are also several organizations and events tailored to a variety of functional needs for kids in Ann Arbor and throughout Metro Detroit.
