Heartland to expand childcare options for students

Heartland Community College will be offering more support for students in need of child care while attending class. 

Heartland was awarded $374,424.00 in funding via a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant from the U.S. Department of education’s Office of Post-Secondary Education. 

This grant supports Pell grant-eligible and low-income parents attending Heartland Community College to either finish a degree they had already started, or start and complete a degree of their choice. 

The CCAMPIS childcare program will be housed in Heartland’s existing Child Development Lab (CDL) on the Main Campus in Normal during evening hours, allowing parents to take evening classes, do research, meet for class discussions or with their instructors, all while their children are cared for on campus. 

Heartland will also use the funding to explore options for at the Pontiac and Lincoln centers in finding childcare near those locations, and to collect data to determine future steps in the program for those locations. Heartland will also be offering parent workshops of interest to parents of small children. 

“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, 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.” 

Current or prospective students can learn more about child care at Heartland Community College at www.heartland.edu/cdl. Those looking to apply for the CCAMPIS support should contact the CDL directly through the website.