Child Care Access Means Parents in School

Indian River State College has received a $989,464 grant from the U.S. Department of Education in support of the College’s CCAMPIS (Child Care Access Means Parents in School) program. The new program is designed to minimize barriers for low-income parent-students who are starting or completing a degree, certificate or career training program at IRSC by assisting with childcare expenses. Applications are now being accepted for assistance.

The CCAMPIS program offers childcare and access to IRSC’s wraparound services to students on a sliding-fee scale, thus expanding childcare services to a large number of Pell-eligible and low-income IRSC student-parents residing in Indian River, Martin, Okeechobee and St. Lucie counties who spend 20 hours or more each week in IRSC classes and labs, or studying for their courses. 

Eligibility Criteria

• Must be low-income, Pell-eligible student-parent or student-guardian pursuing post-secondary education at IRSC.
• Must be participating in an educational activity at least 20 hours per week.
• Must have a minimum cumulative 2.0 GPA for continuing student or be registered as a new student.
• Must provide preliminary documentation before an application will be validated. Documentation types include:
  • Student Photo ID
  • Birth Certificate for each dependent requesting childcare
  • Education documentation (enrollment verification and schedule)

Additional Program Requirements

• Parental involvement: parents who utilize the grant funding will volunteer at their child’s care center a predetermined amount of time each semester.
• Each parent must attend at least one parent education workshop administered by IRSC each semester he or she is involved with the program. IRSC will monitor and track his or her involvement to ensure that he or she is abiding by these mandates throughout their involvement with the program.
• Each parent must meet with the CCAMPIS Program Coordinator each semester to discuss his or her academic progress, plans, and views on his or her child’s care center experience.
• Families must pay a partial payment for childcare based on the student's enrollment status and expected family contribution as indicated on the parent's student aid report.

Application Process

For more information or to begin the application process, contact Randa Emmanuel, CCAMPIS Program Coordinator, at ccampis@irsc.edu or 772-462-7685.

Funding for the project continues through September 2024.