Separation/divorce/custody
Family Centre
The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre is a resource supporting students, faculty and staff – both on and off the campus – as they navigate major life changes like taking a parental leave or returning to work. We are here to provide support through life's challenges and changes.
Support for

The Family Centre is currently closed due to COVID-19. Please visit our faculty COVID-19 page for the latest updates.
I'm looking for
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Family Centre resources
Access past workshops, sessions, webinars and more on our YouTube Channel.
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Baby change tables
Change tables are available on both campuses, locations are listed on the UM child care page.
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Nursing, chestfeeding and pumping
The Nursing Room is located at 290a Brodie Centre (Bannatyne Campus) and requires swipe access. Click to request access by email - you will need to provide your name and employee or student number.
About the Centre
The Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre is an evolving resource and support service connecting students and staff managing changes in their life with resources and services including:
- parent/child drop-in (postponed due to Covid)
- parent discussion group (periodic sessions held virtually)
- resource materials (available from webpage only)
- public use computer to register for Maternity Leave, EI Benefits, Manitoba Child Care Registry, etc. (unavailable at this time due to Covid)
We’re listening and want to hear from you – please let us know of any resources or services you would like to see on our webpage and in the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre. Our goal is to provide you with information and services you need in a quick and direct way.
Email your questions, requests or feedback to FamilyCentre@umanitoba.ca.
We look forward to welcoming you soon.
Events
Virtual Covid-19 Q and A session
Thursday, March 18 — 12 noon to 1:00 p.m.
Guest speaker: Dr. Jason Kindrachuk, assistant professor and Canada Research Chair in emerging virus pathogenesis, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba.
Moderated by: Raman Dhaliwal, director of Administration/Operations, Rady Faculty of Health Sciences.
View event details in the UM events calendar
Lunch and learn book club
This six-session book club will dive into Positive Discipline in Everyday Parenting, by Dr. Joan Durrant. Dr. Durrant is a clinical-child psychologist and professor in the department of Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba.
Participants must commit to attending six bi-weekly virtual book club sessions. Each session will run from 11:45 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There are 10 spots available – to reserve your spot, email familycentre@umanitoba.ca.
Dates:
Participants will receive a free hard copy of the book upon registration. A PDF of the book is also available for free download.
Support
Experiencing a life change on top of everything else you’re trying to balance can be challenging and you don’t have to do it alone.
The information contained on this website and in any links to third party sites is provided on an “as is” basis and is offered for general information only. The reader must accept full responsibility for the use of this information.
There is no guarantee about the accuracy, applicability, fitness or completeness of the information found on this website or in any links to third party sites. Such information is provided without warranty of any kind.
The University of Manitoba and its agents, employees and students disclaim responsibility to any party for any loss or damage of any kind that may arise directly or indirectly as a result of the use of or reliance on the information contained in this website, including in any linked third party sites.
supports for Life changes
Change your personal information at UM
If you have a preferred name change, legal name, gender designation change, or address change you will need to notify the university.
Students: full details are available on the Registrars’ Office website.
Faculty and staff: send an email to HRIS@umanitoba.ca with the name related or gender designation change you wish to make and HR staff will guide you through the process.
Employees can self-update an address change through the employee self-service portal via JUMP.
Updating UM eligible staff benefits
Faculty and staff can update their benefits to add or remove a spouse by completing the form below. You may also use the form below to add a new dependent.
For more information, contact your staff benefits generalist to discuss any questions regarding your benefit and insurance coverage.
UM counselling services
Counselling is available for students, faculty and staff confronted with challenges of all kinds.
Students
Visit the Student Counselling Centre’s webpage to learn more about available services:
Faculty and staff
The University of Manitoba Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) is a voluntary and confidential counselling service for all University of Manitoba staff and their families. Visit the EAP employee and family assistance program page.
Additional resources
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Getting married
Legal name change
supports for Family planning
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Become a foster family
Additional resources
supports for Prenatal or postpartum
Applying for parental leave at UM
For information about eligible benefits and the process for applying for leave, contact your HR consultant. A directory is available on the UM Human Resources website.
Additional resources
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Midwifery and Doula care
supports for Child care, activities and parenting
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Child care
- Licenced child care centres
- Licensed child care searchable database
- Unlicensed child care centres and child care homes
- Child care subsidies
- A guide to child care in Manitoba
Kids crafts and activities
Activity ideas (1-5 years old) - YouTube videos
- When you can't go outside
- How to get your kids to play outside
- How to children outside. Should you force them?
- How to engage your kids in the kitchen
- Super Simple Songs
- Nature walks with preschoolers
- 30 toddler/preschool activities
- 10 DIY indoor activities for kids during quarantine
- 100 things to do with kids indoors
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Free parent resources
- Prairie Mountain Health (Covid journal)
- Healthy start for mom and me
- Healthy families
- Winnipeg Public Library pre-school programs
- Assiniboine South early years healthy child coalition
- Fort Garry/ St. Norbert healthy child coalition
- Fort Rouge/ River Heights parent-child coalition
- Harrow United Church rhyme and storytime
- KidThink
- Louis Riel School Division Family Centres
- River East Transcona School Division Kinder Links
- St. James-Assiniboia Parent Child Coalition
- St. Vital Parent Child Coalition
- Seven Oaks School Division
- Nest Family Centre
supports for Death
UM spouse, dependent, employee or retiree
Spouses or eligible dependents
If a spouse or eligible dependent passes away, you will need to contact the Staff Benefits Office. Staff Benefits will update the records and arrange for spousal/dependent life claims, if applicable.
Employees
If an employee passes away, the department will need to contact the Staff Benefits Office, who will check if any benefits are payable.
The department of the employee will need to complete a cessation form.
Retirees
If a retiree passes away, the family will need to contact the Staff Benefits Office, who will check if any benefits are payable.
UM compassionate care or bereavement leave
University Governance capture compassionate care or bereavement leaves within the leave of absence governing document. There you will find information on qualifying criteria and the benefits UM staff are entitled to.