Preserve Educational Opportunities: A Call to Support Black Student Parents

Senator Tammy Duckworth and Representative Katherine Clark have reintroduced the CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act, aiming to sustain funding for the Child Care Access Means Parents in Schools (CCAMPIS) program until 2031, increasing annual funding to $500 million. This initiative is crucial for assisting low-income student parents manage child care expenses, offering support for on-campus care, after-school programs, and financial guidance. For Black student parents, the landscape of higher education can seem like an insurmountable hurdle. With escalating child care costs and inadequate institutional support, the path to graduation remains fraught with challenges. The statistics paint a stark picture: access to campus child care has sharply declined in recent years, disproportionately impacting Black students and their academic success. Many lack the robust support systems necessary for effective juggling of parenting and education. The CCAMPIS program needs substantial backing to keep serving these families and must enhance data collection to address the needs of all student parents equitably. Supporting these initiatives fosters stronger communities and bright futures for Black families.