Grant to aid student-parents with childcare costs

October 13, 2005

The childcare centers at Miami University's three campuses were awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Education under the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program to subsidize day care for low-income student-parents in an effort to support them as they work to obtain college degrees.

The centers will receive $75,858 this year, with potential to renew for the next three years for a total award amount of more than $300,000. The grant monies will reduce the cost of childcare by providing subsidies to Pell Grant eligible student-parents attending the university childcare centers. The aim is to maximize the total number of low-income students assisted by the subsidies by funding the largest group possible.

In addition, in-house tutoring programs at the childcare centers will be established to reduce the number of student-parents at academic risk. Improvements in curricula for the children served include increased lead teacher times for continuity in care, and equipment and supply purchases for the accreditation process by the National Association for the Education of Young. Miami Hamilton's Campus Kids was awarded national accreditation in August of this year. Mini U, located on the Oxford campus, is also accredited.

According to Jackie Leader, director of Miami Hamilton's Campus Kids program and lead investigator for the grant application, "Student parents struggle with balancing the demands of school and family. The ability to find a childcare center they feel comfortable with, at an affordable cost is quite challenging. The CCAMPIS grant will allow us the ability to help our student parents who are struggling, while continuing to provide high quality care for their children."

Executive Director Daniel E. Hall of Miami University Hamilton said, "We are very proud that our Campus Kids program was selected for this grant award. This money will make it easier for some of our students to attend college and simultaneously enhance the experience for their children and all of the other children enrolled in our daycare."