Commitment to Nondiscrimination

The College does not discriminate in its education program or activity against any applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee on the basis of current, potential, or past pregnancy or related conditions as mandated by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) or any other applicable Federal, State, or Local Law. The College prohibits members of the College community from adopting or implementing any policy, practice, or procedure which treats an applicant for admission, student, applicant for employment, or employee differently on the basis of current, potential, or past parental, family, or marital status. This policy and its pregnancy-related protections apply to all pregnant persons, regardless of gender identity or expression.

The College's Nondiscrimination Policy can be reviewed in full online. If you believe you are being discriminated against, you may pursue a complaint under the College's Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct Reporting & Response Procedure.

The College commits to:

  • Prohibit sex discrimination
  • Provide reasonable modifications
  • Allow a medically necessary voluntary leave of absence 
  • Ensure lactation space availability
  • Maintain a Resolution Process for alleged discrimination
  • Treat pregnancy as comparable to other temporary medical conditions for medical benefit, service, plan, or policy purposes.

View the College's Nondiscrimination Policy

 

Accommodations for Pregnancy & Related Conditions

Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to Reasonable Accommodations to prevent sex discrimination and ensure equal access to the College's education program and activity.  
 
The Title IX Team at CCAC provides Title IX/Civil Rights Accommodations through an individualized intake process based on pregnancy or related conditions, including childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, and recovery from any of these conditions. 
 
Students should request Accommodations for Pregnancy and/or Related Conditions here. 

Employees should contact the Office of Human Resources to discuss needs related to pregnancy and related conditions.
 
Information about pregnant students' requests for accommodations will be shared with faculty and staff only to the extent necessary in order to provide the modifications. Faculty and staff will regard all information associated with such requests as private and will not disclose this information unless necessary.

Students experiencing pregnancy-related conditions that manifest as a temporary disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act are eligible for reasonable accommodations just like any other student with a temporary disability. Student support information related to disability accommodations is managed through the Office of Disability Resources and Services.

 

Lactation Spaces

The College provides students and employees with access to lactation spaces that are functional, appropriate, and safe to breastfeed or pump. Lactation spaces are regularly cleaned, shielded from view, and free from the intrusion of others as they lock from the inside. In addition to privacy, all spaces will include a chair, desk or table, and electrical outlet, though some spaces will provide additional amenities, such as a mirror, adjustable lighting, and comfort seating.

The chart below lists the dedicated lactation spaces at all of our campus and center locations. They can also be identified by designated signage. Most rooms operate on a first come, first served basis, though some spaces have specific access instructions which are detailed below.

If you have additional questions, or would like to add a location to this list, please contact the Title IX Coordinator at  412-237-4535 or civilrights@ccac.edu.

Locations of Lactation Spaces at CCAC Campuses and Centers

Recently visited one of our lactation spaces and have a concern? Report it by contacting civilrights@ccac.edu

Frequently Asked Questions

You do not need to be pregnant to be protected under Title IX.  Title IX protects students, employees, and applicants against discrimination based on pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery from any of these conditions.  Examples of “related conditions” outside of pregnancy include infertility treatments, miscarriage, and postpartum depression.

In general, there is no requirement to disclose a pregnancy or related conditions. However, students should be aware that they must explicitly disclose pregnancy or related conditions to benefit from accommodations or modifications through the Title IX office; the College will not assume pregnancy in any situation.  

When a student informs a College employee of a pregnancy or related conditions, the employee must provide the student with the Title IX Coordinator’s contact information and communicate that this person can help take specific actions to prevent discrimination and ensure equal access to the College’s education programs and activities. College employees should also make a direct referral to the Title IX Coordinator. The purpose of this referral is only to ensure that students are made aware of their rights. Upon notification of a student’s pregnancy or related condition, the Title IX Coordinator will contact student to provide information and offer assistance.

Yes! Absences related to these conditions must be excused, so long as they are medically necessary. Professors may require students to complete missed assignment or other work to make up for missed participation, but the make-up work should be comparable and should have reasonable deadlines.

The College also provides accommodations for lactation. Lactation accommodations may allow a student the permission to take intermittent breaks during class/clinical time for pumping, lactation, and breastfeeding needs and related reasons. This also includes the option to turn off your camera and/or microphone during Zoom/virtual classes for these purposes. Lactation accommodations can be provided for up to one year after the birth of a child. Lactation spaces are available on each campus. Each space is private, clean and suitable for pumping.

In addition to the rights students have under Title IX, there are employment laws that protect employees and may provide the right to reasonable accommodations and/or medical leave. Employees should contact the Office of Human Resources to discuss needs related to pregnancy and related conditions.

The College is committed to providing an educational and employment environment that is free from discrimination based on protected characteristics, harassment, and retaliation for engaging in protected activity. CCAC maintains an online reporting system to receive complaints of discriminatory or harassing conduct, including pregnancy discrimination. Reports may also be made directly to the Title IX Coordinator.  

Complaints of this nature will be governed by the procedures outlined in the Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct Reporting and Response Procedure.

 

Additional Resources

The Pregnant Scholar Initiative is the nation’s first and only legal resource center for pregnant and parenting students.

PA 211 is a starting place to get connected with resources in your community. If you need to connect with resources in your community, but don’t know where to look, PA 211 is a great place to start. From help with a utilities bill, to housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more, you can dial 211 or text your zip code to 898-211 to talk with a resource specialist for free. Specialists will listen to your needs, and give you information on programs in the community that might be able to help.

Finding affordable and quality child care in the Pittsburgh area can be challenging for many students. Further, choosing a child care program is an important and often difficult decision. Child Care Resources will give you some information and resources to guide your decision making.

CCAC Resource Navigators are part of CCAC's Student Services and work as a point of contact to help students overcome barriers outside the classroom by connecting them to on-campus and off-campus resources.

Healthy Start Initative Pittsburgh (HSI) uses a team of Community Health Workers, Certified Lactation Consultants and Counselors, Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educators, Certified Doulas, nurses, licensed mental health clinicians, researchers, Community Health Advocates and other public health practitioner to support women, children, fathers, families and communities through comprehensive community-based programming, systems coordination, advocacy, research and training.

Healthy Start Center for Urban Breastfeeding (HSCUB) is pleased to provide lactation support, education, advocacy and outreach to black women in Allegheny County, including a support team consisting of Certified Lactation Counselors (CLCs) who have access to an Internationally Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC)

The Allegheny County Breastfeeding Line is available Monday-Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm at 412-687-2243. If you have questions about breastfeeding or need help, please call the Breastfeeding Help Line to be referred to a Certified Lactation Counselor who will respond the same day. Calls on weekends or after hours on weekdays will be returned on the next business day.

The Women, Infants, and Children Program provides additional support to eligible mothers and infants including additional food for breastfeeding parents, or iron-fortified formula for non-breastfeeding parents, education relating to nutrition, access to a nutritionist at WIC offices, and limited referrals to local health and social services.

Who to Contact?

Any member of the College community, guest, or third party who has experienced or witnessed any form of sex/gender-based discrimination or harassment should report all misconduct to CCAC's Civil Rights Compliance Officer, who serves as the designated Title IX Coordinator:

Alyssa Pietropaolo, J.D.

You may also use the College's online reporting system to report a civil rights violation or incident of sexual misconduct. The online reporting form can be submitted anonymously.