Plan Child Care

Childcare is in high demand in the United States and securing a spot for your child(ren) can take some time. We encourage you to start finding care early on if you prefer regular care. The programs listed below are affiliated with UO and provide a unique environment of high-quality early childhood education and care that exceeds state certification standards.   

Moss Street Children's Center: Moss Street Children's Center, a program of the Erb Memorial Student Union, offers university student families priority and a tuition discount. The center serves children from three months through five years. Learn about their services on the official website or contact the center directly at 541-346-4384. 

Co-op Family Center: The Co-op Family Center is an independent, nonprofit childcare center located in UO Spencer View Family Housing.  Student Families receive priority and a tuition discount.  Parents may co-op in the classroom and at events for tuition reduction. The center serves children from eight weeks to eleven years old. Learn about their services on the official website or contact the center directly at 541-346-7400.

Plan for your Spouse/ Partner

If your spouse/partner accompanies you during your stay in the U.S., you will need unique services and resources to help them feel at home. Living in one of the UO family housing units is an effective way to find community and supportive resources. 

Education: If your spouse/partner decides to pursue a degree program while in the U.S., speak with an advisor in ISSS well in advance to make sure it is legally possible to do so. For example, F-2 visa holders must change their visa status to F-1 before beginning a full-time study program. This can be a lengthy process (up to a year), and planning is necessary to make sure a change of status is completed smoothly and on time. 

Employment: Getting a job in the U.S. is an effective way for them to become integrated into the community and gain valuable experience. Dependents with J-2 status are allowed to apply for a work permit to work in the U.S. However, many dependent visa types are NOT allowed to have paid employment in the U.S. such as F-2 and H-4. Check with the ISSS office about your dependent’s work eligibility before he or she accepts any paid job offers. 

Unpaid or Volunteer Work: If they are not eligible for paid employment due to their visa status, unpaid or volunteer work may be a suitable alternative. As a volunteer, they can gain experience and become a part of the community. 

J-2 Employment: J-2 family members (spouse or child dependents age 14+ of J-1 visa holders) are eligible to apply for a work permit and work full time in the U.S. Although J-2s are free to seek employment anywhere they like, the purpose of the employment should be for cultural enrichment and should not be based on financial need. Be aware that J-2 dependents cannot apply for a work permit until they are physically present in the U.S., and they have received an employment authorization card (EAD) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Employment authorization cards can take three or more months to process from the time of application and will need to be renewed yearly. 

Plan for Car Safety Seats

Anyone riding in a moving car in the US must wear a seat belt. Children must be secured in an appropriate child passenger restraint (safety seat or booster seat) until they are at least 6 years old or weigh at least 60 lbs. Infants under 20 lbs. must be secured in a rear facing car seat.