Democrats Reintroduce Legislation to Increase Access to On-Campus Child Care for Parenting Students

Strategic Insights -

Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth have reintroduced the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) Reauthorization Act, aiming to increase access to affordable on-campus child care for the more than 3 million parenting students currently enrolled in postsecondary education programs. The legislation seeks to reauthorize and increase funding for the only federal program that exclusively supports on-campus child care services, ensuring the U.S. Department of Education meets the needs of parenting students.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act would reauthorize the CCAMPIS program through Fiscal Year 2031 and authorize $500 million in funding per year.
  • The legislation would eliminate barriers for parenting students to access child care services supported by a CCAMPIS grant, streamline program requirements, and enhance U.S. Department of Education technical assistance.
  • The minimum grant award for eligible institutions would increase to $75,000 per year, while the maximum grant award would be set at $2 million per year.
  • The program would enhance program transparency and accountability by collecting disaggregated data on the parenting students served.
  • The legislation has been endorsed by over 20 organizations, including the American Association of University Women, Ascend at the Aspen Institute, and the National Women's Law Center.
  • Parenting students already graduate with higher levels of debt compared to non-parenting students and have difficulty paying that debt off while making ends meet.
  • Since 2004, the number of parents enrolled in college has grown by 30%, while the share of institutions offering on-campus child care services has declined by 14%.
  • The CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act aims to connect parenting students to benefit programs that help with food, housing, and healthcare services.
  • Rep. Katherine Clark has introduced several bills aimed at supporting parenting students, including the Child Care Infrastructure Act and the Child Care Workforce Development Act.

Statistics:

  • More than 3 million parenting students are currently enrolled in postsecondary education programs.
  • Parenting students graduate with higher levels of debt compared to non-parenting students.
  • Since 2004, the number of parents enrolled in college has grown by 30%.
  • The share of institutions offering on-campus child care services has declined by 14% since 2004.
  • $500 million in funding would be authorized per year to reauthorize the CCAMPIS program.

Sources:

  • The office of Massachusetts Rep. Katherine Clark
  • Senator Tammy Duckworth's office
  • Press release: "Democrats Reintroduce Legislation to Help 3 Million Parenting Students with Affordable Child Care"