CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act

## Summary This bill reauthorizes and updates the Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) program under the Higher Education Act of 1965, aiming to help low-income student parents pursue postsecondary education by improving access to affordable, quality child care. It authorizes the Secretary of Education to award grants to eligible colleges and universities—those with at least 150 students eligible for Federal Pell Grants—to establish or expand child care services. Grants range from $75,000 to $2 million annually, with priority given to institutions that leverage local resources, use sliding fee scales to serve more students, and support single parents. Funds can be used for campus-based child care programs, subsidies, or before/after-school services, but not for construction (except repairs to meet health/safety standards). Institutions must also help student parents enroll in other federal or state benefits programs. The bill emphasizes accountability through annual reporting on demographics, service usage, and quality standards, while ensuring non-discrimination in program access. ## Key Points - Expanded Funding and Eligibility: Grants are increased to a minimum of $75,000 and maximum of $2 million annually, with eligibility limited to institutions serving at least 150 Pell-eligible students. - Permitted Uses: Funds must support child care access via campus programs, sliding fee subsidies, or before/after-school services, with additional flexibility for quality improvements or support services. - Prohibited Uses: Construction is banned except for renovations required by health/safety rules, and institutions cannot impose extra eligibility requirements (e.g., work or academic progress) on student parents. - Priority Criteria: Grants prioritize institutions that use local resources, serve single parents, and adopt sliding fee scales to maximize access. - Reporting and Quality Standards: Institutions must submit annual reports on demographics, child care usage, and quality metrics, and meet Head Start or state-approved standards within three years. ## Impact Areas - Student Parents: Low-income student parents, including single parents and those in graduate programs, gain better access to subsidized, quality child care, improving their ability to complete degrees. - Colleges and Universities: Institutions receive federal support to create or expand child care programs, reducing barriers to enrollment for student parents. - Child Care Quality and Standards: Programs must meet rigorous national or state-based quality benchmarks, potentially raising the standard of campus child care nationwide. - Community and Benefits Coordination: Encourages partnerships with local child care providers and connects student parents to other federal benefits (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid). - Nondiscrimination Protections: Ensures child care services are accessible to all, regardless of race, gender, disability, or other protected statuses. *Technical terms explained*: - Federal Pell Grant: Need-based financial aid for low-income undergraduate students. - Sliding Fee Scale: A payment system where child care costs are adjusted based on family income. - Head Start Standards: National benchmarks for early childhood programs focused on comprehensive child development.