Written by Grambling State University
The Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at Grambling State University (GSU) has been named as a recipient of a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education that will benefit university students in need of childcare while they attend classes.
Known as the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant — was awarded to GSU to develop comprehensive support strategies for student parents, including childcare services.
“Grambling [State], not unlike many other institutions, is seeing a consistent rise in the number of older and intergenerational families — grandparents, parents, and grandchildren) as a part of the campus community,” said Professor Terry Matthews, Project Director and Chair of GSU’s Department of Family and Consumer Sciences. “This grant award will allow the University to provide additional opportunities and services for these students and significantly enhance their pathway to graduation.”
Grambling State’s CCAMPIS project will undertake three major initiatives over the course of the four-year grant. These include providing subsidized childcare for 42 eligible GSU students with dependent children at the new GSU Child Development Center; establishing a Parent Resource Hub for all GSU student parents, including a Student Parent Task Force; and supporting accreditation and licensing of future early childhood education professionals.
According to Theodore Callier, Vice President for Research and Sponsored Programs, the university has received several recent grants awarded to GSU faculty and staff.
“This CCAMPIS grant represents a major investment in GSU’s strategic plan and the U.S. Department of Education’s continued commitment to student success,” Callier said.
The grant, which began recently, is scheduled to continue through September 2027.
Carol Alexander-Lewis, who on Jan. 8, 2024, will become interim director of the GSU Childcare Center to be created by this funding, said receiving the grant will help strengthen the university’s Department of Family & Consumer Sciences.
“This will allow the university to service student parents while also allowing the university to implement or develop what will essentially be a learning laboratory for Grambling’s FCS students,” Alexander-Lewis said. “It will function as a lab space for them to perform their student teaching, their practicums, and internships — those field experiences — at the university itself.”
“I sort of equate it to nursing students visiting hospitals. They’ll have that real-life lab space to interact with young children as they would when they enter the field. That’s going to be a great opportunity for the students at the university. It will help student parents at the university because there will be a space on campus for them while they’re in class to bring their children to receive quality childcare services. And that’s another great opportunity for the university.”
Alexander-Lewis said she is especially proud of the childcare ecosystem that will be created at GSU.
“You’ll have GSU students working with the children of fellow students,” she said. “You’ll have GSU professors working with those students learning the field. And when all of that works together functionally as it should, it’s very beneficial to the institution.”
“I’m just happy I’ll get the opportunity to help see it exist. I’ve actually had the opportunity to serve as a director for the type of center that the funding GSU is receiving will make happen. I’ve seen how it works and seen how valuable it is, so I’m just excited to see Grambling receive this opportunity to participate in such a beneficial program.”
