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MWCC Childcare Support Gets Boost with CCAMPIS award
From Mount Wachusett Community College: “Mount Wachusett Community College (MWCC) has been awarded $1.188 million over four years through the federal Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program, significantly expanding the college’s ability to help student parents access affordable, reliable childcare while pursuing their education.
The award provides MWCC with $297,000 annually for four years. In the first year alone, nearly $230,000 is designated for childcare subsidies, with at least 50 student parents expected to benefit annually. Subsidies will cover between 40 and 80 percent of eligible childcare costs based on student need, with maximum annual assistance of $10,000 for one child and $20,000 for families with two or more children.
“For nearly two decades, CCAMPIS has helped student parents at the Mount continue their education while caring for their families,” said MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “We are especially grateful to see that commitment continue and grow. This significant investment will allow us to help more student parents access the childcare and support they need to remain in college and achieve their academic and career goals.”
MWCC’s history with CCAMPIS dates to 2009, when the college first received a multi-year grant to increase college participation and success among low-income student parents by helping them pay for childcare. The original program provided childcare subsidies to 24 full- and part-time students receiving Pell Grants, with subsidies covering 20, 40, or 60 percent of childcare costs. Participating parents could choose from among 75 pre-screened, licensed childcare providers serving infants through school-age children near MWCC’s campuses.
Seventeen years later, the new award significantly expands that work. Under the new CCAMPIS program, students will be able to select licensed childcare providers and before and after school programs that meet their families’ needs, with subsidies covering as much as 80 percent of costs. The program is designed to provide at least 50 childcare subsidies annually.
At MWCC, the need for childcare assistance has grown along with the population of adult and parenting students. In 2025, 728 Pell-eligible MWCC students had children, representing more than one-quarter of the college’s Pell-eligible students. The average age of those student parents was 35.8.
A recent survey of MWCC student parents further demonstrated the challenges they face while pursuing a college education. Among Pell-eligible student parents responding to the survey, 82 percent said family responsibilities prevented them from having enough time to study, 67 percent reported difficulty finding affordable childcare, and 56 percent said they had missed class because a child was sick.
In addition to childcare subsidies, the new CCAMPIS program will connect participating students with academic advising and individualized support, parent support activities, financial literacy and other workshops, referrals to campus and community resources, and Monty’s Cubs Child Watch. The program uses a two-generation approach designed to support both student parents and their children while helping parents persist in college, graduate, or transfer.
Monty’s Cubs provides short-term childcare on the Gardner Campus so student parents can attend class, meet with an advisor, access tutoring, study or take care of other college-related responsibilities. It also serves as an option when a student unexpectedly loses access to their regular childcare, although it is not intended to replace stable, ongoing care.
“Monty’s Cubs has also served as a bridge for student parents,” notes Ann Reynolds, Director of Student Parent Supports at MWCC. “Many who utilize the service do so because they have no other childcare for their young child, or their child has never stayed with anyone other than the parent. When student parents see their children blossom in the space, and as they advance in their college journey, they are more likely to consider finding regular sustainable childcare. The CCAMPIS Program helps them do just that.”
Through the new CCAMPIS award, MWCC aims for at least 65 percent of participating students who have not graduated or transferred to remain enrolled at the end of each academic year, and for 55 percent of participants to graduate or transfer within three years.
The grant will also build upon MWCC’s partnerships with childcare providers throughout North Central Massachusetts, allowing student parents greater flexibility in finding care that works for their families, schedules and educational goals.