Family-friendly and Work/Life Programs and Services

Camps and Enrichment Programs:

UC San Diego sponsors a wide array of summer and year-round campus and enrichment programs for children and teens in a wide range of pursuits such as sailing, surfing, creative writing, academic advancement, animation, theater, and more. Camps are planned for multiple age groups.

In addition, there are many summer camp programs held at UC San Diego that are not necessarily sponsored by the University.

Recreational Classes:

UC San Diego Recreation facilities host many activities enjoyed by families.  From personal training to classes for all ages, UC San Diego faculty, staff, and affiliates participate in many fitness and wellness activities.  Check out the schedule of courses for kids on the Youth page of the UC San Diego Recreation site and take a look at all the many facilities both on and near the campus.

On-Campus or UC San Diego Affiliated Childcare Options:

Full-time child care is available on campus at the Early Childhood Education Center (ECEC) for children three months to six years old, with age-appropriate development programs. The center offers full-time enrollment only.  The ECEC also offers child care referrals to  local infant/toddler home-care programs, child care centers, and preschool programs. (There may be waiting lists for all age groups.) The center offers full-time enrollment only. Parents who meet income guidelines may be eligible for subsidized care, and an after-hours program is available.

UC San Diego students provide child care through the UC San Diego Babysitting Resource Program. Parents can post a job and wait for a babysitter to contact them, or they can view babysitter profiles and contact sitters directly.

External Programs:

Exceptional Family Resource Center: Offers support, resources, and referrals for parents of special-needs children.

San Diego City Schools Primetime Extended Day Program: Provides elementary and middle school students with academic support and enrichment activities on school sites during the hours when many parents are at work.

Lawrence Family Jewish Center Childcare Program: The Nierman Pre-School and Shalom Baby program is located near campus and offers day care, pre-school, and enrichment programs.

Other Resources for Parents:

Daycare, Schools, and Babysitting: The International Services and Engagement Office Family Resources page for community, UC San Diego and other available resources

UC San Diego Parents, Guardians & Caregivers Association: the PGCA creates a supportive campus environment for UC San Diego staff, faculty, students and university affiliates who are parents. See the drawer on this page for more detail. 

Resources for Student Parents: UC San Diego's Health, Recreation and Wellbeing partners with the UC San Diego's Grad Parents Network and the UC San Diego Undergrad Student Parents Network to support student academic achievement.

Resources for UC San Diego expectant parents: Find information about disability income, leaves of absence, dependent or health flexible spending accounts, and a workshop for parents-to-be.

ScholarShare: California's 529 College Savings Program: Start saving for your children's college now.

Recognizing the benefits of breastfeeding for both infants and mothers, and in compliance with state law, UC San Diego provides Lactation Accommodations, offering nursing mothers space near their work areas where they can express breastmilk in private. Such locations include offices, conference rooms, and other rooms that can be locked for privacy. See Lactation Facilities for a current list of available spaces and related information.

Also visit the UC San Diego Breastfeeding-Friendly Childcare Training page to find many useful resources for breastfeeding parents.   

In addition, learn more about Breastfeeding, newborn care, and infant CPR with affordable in-person classes from UC San Diego Health at La Jolla, Scripps Ranch, and Hillcrest facilities.  Click on course offerings to see which is offered where.   

General Campus

UC San Diego general campus academic appointees experiencing work-related, personal, or family difficulties can receive one-on-one counseling, referrals, and other services through the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP). All services are at no cost and the content of any FSAP counseling session is completely undocumented and confidential. 

Visit the dedicated counselors for consultations and attend useful workshops and groups--or even listen to Wellness podcast offerings if you're on the go.

FSAP counselors can be asked to do mediation of departmental/professional conflicts, small and large, and provide team building workshops for department and unit retreats.

FSAP's confidential services include brief, solution-focused therapy for individuals, couples, and families experiencing a range of emotional and behavioral concerns, caregiver/eldercare needs, work-life balance issues, and strain in relationships.

Faculty may also utilize the FSAP service for support around leadership challenges such as mediating discussions, conflict resolution, and personnel management. New faculty may appreciate learning about campus culture and having a supportive advocate for self-care and acculturation.

Above and beyond FSAP services, FSAP staff are knowledgeable about local service providers and programs and can help to create customized referrals and ideas for integrated care whether the concern is personal, professional, or both. FSAP is located in Torrey Pines Center South, Suite 406, across North Torrey Pines Road from the northwest end of campus. Shuttle service is available from the main campus. The FSAP offices are open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and early-morning appointments or appointments after 5 p.m. can be arranged with individual counselors.

Health Sciences

For staff affiliated with the Health Sciences, the Optum's Employee Assistant program is available.  Optum provides counseling resources and support services, including a Provider Search tool for finding an in-network provider based on your preference for type of service, three no-cost visits, and multiple online resources such as toolkits for mental health, wellness articles, and more.

Members are also entitled to free legal, mediation, and financial consultations via calling 1-866-808-6205.  Counselors are available via telephone 24 hours a day. 

Sign in with an access code and register for logging in.

CARE at SARC offers free and confidential services for registered UC San Diego students, staff and faculty who are victims and/or survivors of sexual assault, relationship violence and stalking, as well as friends and families of the victim/survivor.

Their services include:

• Crisis intervention and safety planning
• Individual counseling
• Support groups
• On-campus advocacy for academic, housing and employment concerns
• Assistance with police, administrative and non-investigative reporting options
• Accompaniment to police interviews, medical evidentiary exams and court dates
• Referrals to on- and off-campus resources

CARE provides violence prevention education for the entire UC San Diego campus and promotes self-defense courses offered by the campus Police Department and offers workshops on topics such as understanding healthy relationships, clarifying consent, online safety, how to be a responsive bystander, and how to help a victim/survivor.

They also provide training for larger groups on referring and reporting information, campus safety, and community dynamics, providing support services that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of the group, organization or department. 

Learn more about their various programs and how to request a program. 

A 24 hour hotline is available. For calls made during regular business hours, please use (858) 534-5793. If you have an emergency after hours or on the weekends, please contact UC San Diego Police department and ask to speak to the CARE staff. The number is (858) 534-HELP.

Eldercare Resources:

With millions of adults caring for elderly parents or other dependent adults, eldercare is a significant issue for many in the workplace, and UC San Diego offers resources and support in this area.

Family accommodation policies that help provide leave time and accommodations for academic appointees with eldercare responsibilities:

Check out our family policies page to see campus programs meant to provide accommodations for eligible academic appointees engaged with eldercare.  Leaves with or without pay can be requested for caretaking, as well as modifications of duties, for eligible series.   Eligibility for various programs is contingent on series sick leave accrual, appointment type, and bargaining unit.

Faculty and Staff Assistance Program – referrals and Eldercare Support Group

The Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FSAP) provides referrals to resources for the elderly, such as specialized medical care, transportation, and caretakers, and offers an eldercare support group for individuals responsible for the care and oversight of elderly persons.  There is no charge for FSAP services. For further information, call (858) 534-2387.

Senior Care

MARC (The Memory, Aging, and Resilience Clinic) at UC San Diego Health System provides comprehensive cognitive, emotional and physical health evaluation of older adults.This unique program draws on the expertise of UC San Diego physicians in numerous specialties to carefully assess the overall health of older adults – with particular focus on memory and thinking.After thorough examination, the Memory, Aging and Resilience team prepares an individual care plan to address the needs of each patient.

UC San Diego's Senior Health programs and facilities are state of the art.

UC Sponsored Referral Program with Additional Services

Bright Horizons Care Advantage is America’s largest website for connecting families with nearly 2 million caregivers nationwide. Your University of California benefit, via the Years Ahead program, gives you online access to local caregivers with profiles that include background checks, references, reviews, pictures, and more, with skills ranging from companions to licensed RNs. Elder care planning support is also available that allows you exclusive access to Senior Care Advisors and unlimited one-on-one planning.  

Links to External Programs and Services

The following are some of the resources available in the San Diego area. These organizations may be able to suggest additional resources.

• Aging and Independence Services
• ElderHelp of San Diego
• Jewish Family Service - Older Adult Services
• Medicare information for Californians
• Southern Caregiver Resource Center
• www.SanDiegoElderCare.com (San Diego Eldercare Directory)

Southern California eldercare resources

Los Angeles County

• UCLA Longevity Center
• Department of Public Social Services – Elder Services

Orange County

• Orange County Community Services – Office on Aging

Riverside County

• Elder Home Care Link

San Bernardino County

• Department of Aging and Adult Services

Ventura County

• Area Agency on Aging

Activities for Older Adults:

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UC San Diego is an educational and cultural organization for retirees, directed by its members under the administrative auspices of UC San Diego Extension. Its approximately 600 members annually elect a set of officers and a Council to establish policy, oversee the curriculum and activities, control its financial and budget affairs, and generally maintain the organization.

Membership is open to any individual 50 years of age and above who is retired or semi-retired. Members can attend classes according to their own schedule. The only requirement for participation in Osher Lifelong Learning Institute are life experience and a desire to learn.

The UC San Diego Retirement Association serves several purposes, including offering educational and entertainment programs and providing volunteer opportunities for retirees.UC retirees, legal spouses or same-sex domestic partners, and current UC staff and faculty members are welcome to join.

Members also receive a number of benefits, including a UC San Diego ID card, access to the library, discounts at the bookstore, discounts on La Jolla Symphony and Chorus and La Jolla Playhouse admissions, and invitations to a number of annual Retirement Association events, including the annual picnic, Day at the Races, holiday party, winery tours, classes and seminars, and more.

Members pay an annual or lifetime fee. For more information, read How to Join the UC San Diego Retirement Association.

A Health Care Facilitator (HCF) is here to help faculty and staff, retirees, survivors and their eligible family members to better understand and obtain the full benefits and services available from the UC-sponsored health plans. Health Care Facilitator contacts are located in the Benefits Offices at all UC campuses, medical centers and the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. Read the University of California brochure about Health Care Facilitators.

UC San Diego Campus Health Care Facilitator Contacts and Information:

Contacts:

Debra Wells
Health Care Facilitator
(858) 822-2197
dmwells@ucsd.edu

Anna Calhoun
Health Care Facilitator Assistant
858-534-9686
acalhoun@ucsd.edu

HCF Blink Page:  http://blink.ucsd.edu/HR/benefits/insurance/health/program.html

Close to campus, La Jolla del Sol is a condominium-style community located minutes from UC San Diego. All apartments are un-furnished one-bedroom, two-bedroom/one-bath and two-bedroom/two-bath walk-up apartments. All units feature full size washer and dryer, refrigerator, dishwasher, range and dining room ceiling fan. Second and third floor apartments feature fireplaces. Amenities include two pools and spas, tennis courts, and a fitness facility. Renters Insurance is required for residents.

In downtown San Diego Framework is a new residential community for UC San Diego faculty and staff.

UC San Diego also has an Off-Campus Housing Service page where UC San Diego faculty, staff, and students can find nearby rental and roommate listings, commuting resources, and a good place to list their own properties. This is a log-in protected site.

For links to additional housing resources and information, drop in on the Blink Housing Resources page.

Campus Resource Center:

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Resource Center at UC San Diego provides a visible presence on campus and enhances a sense of connection and community among LGBT faculty, staff, students, alumni and the UC San Diego Community. Subscribing to the Rainbow Newsletter can provide up to date information on queer life at UC San Diego. In addition, the LGBT Resource Center supports the UC San Diego LGBT Staff and Faculty Association and provides contact and meetings information for many LGBT and LGBTq groups and organizations.

Greater San Diego Resource Center:

San Diego is also home to The San Diego Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Community Center (known as The Center), which is the nation's second oldest and one of the largest LGBT community centers. Functioning as the LGBT community's anchor organization, The Center is led by a 15-member board of directors, employs more than 50 paid staff and utilizes more than 1000 community volunteers to achieve its twin goals of promoting LGBT health and human rights. The Center provides direct program services to the many different facets of the LGBT community, including men, women, youth, seniors, families, LGBT Latino community members and their families, and those living with HIV. Last year The Center provided more than 61,000 direct service visits to San Diego community members, and through its events, activities and advocacy, touched the lives of thousands more.

Preferred Pricing on Auto, Home, and Renters Insurance from Farmers Insurance Choice^SM

Find out about auto, home and renters insurance available to UC San Diego faculty and staff at preferred pricing. Compare and save on auto, home and renters insurance through Farmers Insurance Choice. 

Preferred Pricing Pet Insurance from Nationwide

The University of California now offers preferred pricing on pet insurance through Nationwide.  You can now enroll any time of the year and your coverage will be effective the day your application is approved by Nationwide. Plans are available for most house pets– dogs, cats, birds, small mammals, even exotic pets such as reptiles.

Visit the Nationwide website  to enroll or call Nationwide at 877-738-7874.

Learn about childbirth preparation, newborn care, parenting and self-care, and infant CPR with affordable in-person classes from UC San Diego Health at La Jolla, Scripps Ranch, and Hillcrest facilities.  Click on course offerings to see which courses are offered where and when. 

Also visit the UC San Diego Blink Resources for Expectant Parents page for information about how to sign up for a workshop that covers information about UC pregnancy leaves, Family Medical Leaves, Pregnancy Disability, Pregnancy Short-term Disability benefits, and UC employee health and welfare benefits.

For commute and transportation to and from off-campus locations, the University of California San Diego has also initiated a Lyft Rideshare Partnership that includes the below:

-Lyft FLEX – Flexible Commute Pilot Program

- SafeRides for students

-Direct billing for business travel

- Ride dispatch, designated pick up and drop off locations on campus,
and ride credit during university-sponsored events

-Friends and Family

- Access to a $15 personal ride credit for students, faculty, and staff,
after associating a @ucsd.edu email address to a Lyft profile.

UC San Diego is the first university in the nation to engage in a comprehensive partnership with Lyft, which will improve access to campus and medical centers, increase rideshare safety, simplify business operations, save transportation costs, and support campus programs.

For additional information visit Rideshare Programs, Benefits, and Promotions.

San Diego County schools

• Private schools in San Diego County
• San Diego County school districts
• San Diego Unified School District

School ratings

• Academic Performance Index (searchable by school, district, and county)
• Voice of San Diego 2025 Parent's Guide to San Diego Schools

Other UC campuses

• UC Irvine Child Care Services
• UC Los Angeles Child Care
• UC Riverside Child Development Center

Regional:

• Orange County Resource links
• Riverside County Child Care Consortium

Statewide

• California Childcare Resource and Referral Network: Gives parents referrals and information about the elements of quality care and state licensing requirements, as well as the availability of child-care subsidies.
• State of California Community Care Licensing Division: Provides information on licensing, laws, and finding child care.

The Systemwide WellBeing Initiative for faculty and staff, spearheaded by Vice President of Systemwide Human Resources Dwaine B. Duckett, sponsors events and resources aimed at improving the wellbeing of the UC community to unite faculty and staff across UC in its mission to improve our collective emotional, financial, nutritional and physical wellbeing.

By sponsoring programs, resources, and events, the initiative aims to provide and make easily accessible to all employees the tools and knowledge needed to lead a healthy and thriving life.

Spin will retrieve all locked bicycles that are ridden off campus. Between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. seven days a week. Spin may be requested to pick up and remove any bicycle(s) from campus and/or other San Diego locations.

UC San Diego users will receive these discount rates (see site to confirm):

• $0.50 per ride up to 30 minutes
• $14 per month for unlimited rides up to 30 minutes per ride
• $49 per year for unlimited rides up to 30 minutes per ride

The UC San Diego Center for Mindfulness is a multi-faceted program of clinical care, professional training, education, research and outreach intended to further the practice and integration of mindfulness into all aspects of society.

The Center offers a broad range of mindfulness-based programs and initiatives for youth and adults. Whether your interest in mindfulness is personal or professional, on behalf of family or your workplace, the 3 location center has a variety of programs, classes, and services that may interest you.

UC San Diego employees are eligible for many discounts to fun family activities and local attractions. See the Blink page on Employee Discounts for a variety of discounted goods and services for UC San Diego employees and visit the  UC San Diego Box Office for information about tickets to on campus events and entertainment, as well as links to purchase discounted tickets to large external attractions like Universal Studios Hollywood and San Diego Padres games.

The Women’s Center provides education and support to all members of UC San Diego. The Women's Center is a unit of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Organizational Transformation (VCOT). The Women's Center hosts valuable information for parents on campus including Maternal Mental Health and a page of additional resources that are available to support UC San Diego Faculty, Staff, and Students.