A four-year grant of more than $389,000 awarded by the U.S. Department of Education is helping low-income parents who attend California University of Pennsylvania pay for child care services.
Funds obtained through the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant is enabling the children of eligible Cal U students to attend The Village, a state- and nationally accredited child care and preschool education program within walking distance of the Cal U campus in California, Pa.
Dr. Nancy Skobel, associate dean for Student Affairs, says the grant for the Hand-in-Hand program will pay tuition costs for eight to 10 preschool children each year.
Skobel, who directs the university's Women's Center, says Cal U officials receive roughly a dozen inquiries about child care assistance from low-income students each year. In many cases, state welfare programs do not offer adequate aid for low-income parents -- especially single moms and dads — who are trying to earn a college degree.
"Education is the ultimate equalizer, and Cal U's participation in the CCAMPIS program will help both students and their young children," Skobel says. "Not only are immediate child care needs being met, but the program also will have a positive effect on long-term family finances and children's readiness for school."
The program continues California University's longstanding tradition of providing educational opportunities to nontraditional students, including members of the armed services and military veterans. Many of these students are parents who are juggling family and work responsibilities in addition to their studies.
Low-income students with military ties are given first priority for the Hand-in-Hand awards. Single mothers are first in line to receive a child care tuition payment; remaining funds are awarded to single fathers next, and then to two-parent families. A sliding fee scale is used, in order to maximize the number of participating families.
In addition to providing child care at The Village, the Hand-in-Hand project coordinates University support services for the parenting students. As part of an organized learning community, they participate in study groups and parent-and-child activities. Skobel meets with participants to oversee their academic progress and guide them to the campus resources and services they need.
"At Cal U, student success is a priority," Skobel says. "By making quality child care more affordable, we make it easier for parenting students to earn a degree and build a brighter future for their families."