Spokane colleges get $1.9 million for parent childcare
The federal funding will expand affordable childcare access for students raising children.
Spokane Colleges has secured $1.9 million in federal funding to strengthen childcare for parents enrolled at Spokane Community College and Spokane Falls Community College. The award lasts four years and is larger than funding provided in earlier cycles. Spokane Colleges was Washington state’s sole recipient and was among 40 colleges selected nationwide.
Each campus has an on-site Head Start program serving roughly 100 children. Students can leave infants, toddlers and pre-school-age children there while attending class. Because the Early Learning Centers are close to classrooms and the library, parents can visit their children between classes and use study time while their children receive care nearby.
The money will help keep both programs operating throughout the grant period. It will also pay for additional staff training, support efforts to satisfy accreditation standards and increase summer childcare, which previously had limited availability. Bobbi Woodral, who leads Head Start and ECEAP programs for the district, said student parents are the priority at both locations. The services are intended to help them remain in school, complete their educational plans and move into the workforce. Head Start says some participating parents could not have finished school without that childcare support.
- The federal grant provides $1.9 million over four years.
- Spokane Colleges was Washington state’s only recipient.
- About 100 children are served at each campus location.
- Care covers infants, toddlers and pre-school-age children.
- Funding will expand summer care and staff training.
Source: KXLY ↗
Summarized from the reporting above. Read it for the full story.
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