March 13th 2024.
A new partnership has emerged between the Association of Community College Trustees and the National Head Start Association, aiming to create Head Start centers on college campuses. According to NPR, this five-year initiative specifically targets the needs of the nearly 4 million U.S. college students who are also parents, with over a third of them attending community colleges. Carrie Warick-Smith, the public policy overseer at the Association of Community College Trustees, highlighted the advantages of such a collaboration. "It's a partnership that just makes sense," she stated. "For parents who are going to college, it means an easier commute. They won't have to make two stops, and they can rest assured that their children are receiving a high-quality experience for free."
Despite the potential to serve student-parents, The Education Trust revealed that out of the 3,000 community college campuses in the U.S., only about 100 currently have on-site Head Start centers. However, with more than 16,000 Head Start centers scattered throughout the country, there is ample opportunity for relocation to better address shifting needs. These programs are predominantly funded by the federal government, with community colleges contributing the remaining 20% through donations or offering low-cost unused space. This partnership also has mutual benefits for both the colleges and Head Start centers themselves. Many community colleges offer degrees and certificates in early education, and having on-campus Head Start centers provides practical hands-on experience for students, addressing the national shortage of childcare workers by creating a direct pipeline for graduating students to work in Head Start centers. Warick-Smith, who played a key role in creating "Kids on Campus," a guide for establishing new partnerships, stated that colleges stand to gain from these programs because "it increases the likelihood of enrollment, persistence, and graduation."
San Antonio College has already implemented this innovative approach by establishing a Head Start center on its campus. This center offers free, federally funded childcare programs specifically tailored to promote school readiness for children from low-income families. 23-year-old Stephanie Perez, a former student at the college, had her daughter while pursuing her certificate in early childhood education. She completed her student teaching in the Head Start classrooms on campus and later secured a full-time teaching job there after graduating. Similarly, Carrie Marshall Gross, a professor of early childhood education at Manchester Community College in New Hampshire, also praised the benefits of having a Head Start center on campus. "Having it right on campus is like an extension of our college classroom," she explained. Her students regularly observe and participate in the on-site Head Start preschool as part of their coursework.
In addition to this partnership, there are also other resources available to support students who are also parents. "The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions" is a helpful resource created by a team of experts in the field. It provides valuable insights and advice for families navigating the college admissions process together. With initiatives like the one between the Association of Community College Trustees and the National Head Start Association, and resources like "The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions," students who are also parents are receiving more support than ever before in their pursuit of higher education.
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