Heartland Community College is expanding child care so students with kids can take evening classes, do research, and meet with faculty.
The $374,000 federal grant supports low-income parents attending the community college who are working toward a degree, and those who are Pell grant eligible. The Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant money comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Post-Secondary Education.
"Finding and affording child care can be a major barrier for students who are looking to advance their academic goals,” said Amy Pawlik, Heartland associate vice president for enrollment and student services. “The CCAMPIS grant allows us to expand the already excellent resources coordinated by the Child Development Lab and provides more opportunity for students who care for children.”
The evening program will be in the existing child development lab on the main campus in Normal. Heartland will also use the grant to explore child care options at its Lincoln and Pontiac sites and to lay groundwork for a future program in those cities. Heartland will also offer parent workshops of interest to parents of small children.
Current or prospective students can learn more about child care at Heartland Community College.
