Daytona State receives child care grant totaling over $1 million

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Oct. 15, 2018) - Daytona State College has been awarded a U. S. Department of Education grant totaling more than $1 million over four years to support the College's Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program through September 2022.

CCAMPIS helps Pell grant eligible DSC students with the cost of keeping their children enrolled in an approved network of quality, accredited and conveniently located child care services throughout Volusia and Flagler counties.

"This is an excellent opportunity for Daytona State to provide parents greater access to higher education opportunities," said Erin LeDuc, the center's director. "Child care assistance plays a vital role in helping many students stay in school and achieve academic success."

As many as 100 students annually will be served by CCAMPIS. The program can pay up to 75 percent of the student's child care costs, based on their enrollment status and a sliding fee scale, according to Rabecka Collins, the program's coordinator.

"CCAMPIS students also receive access to parenting workshops, educational resources and a supportive student parent network," Collins added, noting that all student parents, even if they are not participating in CCAMPIS, are welcome to attend these workshops and take advantage of the free resources offered by the center.

Access to affordable child care is a common barrier for non-traditional college students. Nationally, nearly 4 million college students have dependent children, according to the Institute for Women's Policy Research.

In addition to anchor programs such as Fresh Start, New Directions and CCAMPIS, the center has become a hub where all students in need can seek out services and help in one central location. The center's Falcon Fuel food pantry is helping to mitigate food insecurity among DSC students, an issue that, along with homelessness, has become a growing concern with colleges and universities across the nation. The center also provides temporary emergency bus passes to help students get back and forth to classes, and a lending library helps students offset the cost of textbooks. Further, students seeking a professional image for job interviews can use the center's Clothes Closet to look their best.

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