In 2018, Congress tripled federal funding for student-parents, and that year the University of Louisiana Monroe received its first Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant of more than $122,000.
Thanks to this grant and other federal funding, childcare cost assistance is available to eligible student-parents through the university鈥檚听TRIO Programs. TRIO is a U.S. Department of Education program to assist first-generation and income-eligible students seeking a college degree.
For some, CCAMPIS can mean the difference between a college degree leading to a successful, rewarding career or a minimum-wage job.
Tammy Anderson is the TRIO Child Care Coordinator/Outreach Specialist. She hopes parents who want to attend 麻豆果冻传媒 but are hesitating because of childcare concerns will reach out to her.
鈥淪o far for Fall 2020, 20 麻豆果冻传媒 student-parents and 23 children are enrolled. There are slots for up to 35 children,鈥 Anderson said. 鈥淭he children we serve are ages six weeks through 11. The program covers child daycare and afterschool care.鈥澨
听鈥淪ince 2018, we have helped over 30 students-parents and 42 children by subsidizing childcare, providing financial literacy training, parent workshops, and parent events,鈥 Anderson said.
鈥淭his program has been a wonderful asset to 麻豆果冻传媒. The student-parents, past and present, have benefited not only from assistance with their childcare payments each semester but also learning about financial literacy, parenting through parent workshops, and fun social events with other parents and children in the program,鈥 Anderson said.听
Parent-students apply for CCAMPIS each semester. They must be enrolled full-time, remain in good standing, with a GPA of at least 2.0 and be Pell Grant eligible. CCAMPIS is available to all 麻豆果冻传媒 students who meet the income and eligibility requirements,
For more information on TRIO CCAMPIS, contact Anderson at听taanderson@ulm.edu, 318-342-1083, 351 Sandel Hall.
Keyowanda Gix
Keyowanda Gix, a senior in Health Studies, hospital marketing, and management, said because of CCAMPIS, she is a better parent to her son Karson and a better student. With Anderson鈥檚 mentoring, she鈥檚 remained focused on her goals.
鈥淭his program has helped me financially, been supportive, and taught me a better way of parenting my child. I sit down and explain the do鈥檚 and don鈥檛s with Karson,鈥 said Gix, of Monroe. 鈥淢rs. Tammy has also been a great asset to my education with encouragement and motivation.鈥
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Leah Havard
For Leah Havard, also of Monroe, a senior in social work and a student-parent, the program, plus Anderson鈥檚 guidance, has been important to her academic and personal success.听She has a 3-year-old son, Eli.
鈥淔inancially, it has helped me with my funds towards my son鈥檚 daycare, so I am able to attend school and have study time for my classes,鈥 Havard said. 鈥淢rs. Tammy has helped me a lot also. She always makes sure I鈥檓 on top of my work and staying focused. She always helps me find the resources I need to come out on top as a mother and a student.鈥
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