The proposed bill, introduced as H. R. 9559, aims to amend the Child Care Access Means Parents In School (CCAMPIS) Program within the Higher Education Act of 1965. The bill seeks to reauthorize the program to help student parents succeed in higher education by providing financial support for child care services.

General Summary

The CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act is designed to support postsecondary institutions in offering child care services to students who are parents. By providing grants ranging from $75,000 to $2,000,000 annually, the program aims to ensure these students have access to affordable, quality child care, thereby facilitating their educational success. The grants can last up to five years, with a focus on campus-based child care centers, although off-campus solutions are also considered. The bill outlines detailed usage guidelines, reporting requirements, and eligibility criteria for institutions and student parents.

Significant Issues

Several issues within the bill have been identified, potentially affecting its implementation and effectiveness:

1. Appropriation Amounts: The bill authorizes $500 million annually for its implementation, but lacks detailed distribution criteria. This could lead to inefficient allocation of funds, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility.

2. Grant Amounts: With a maximum grant amount of $2 million per year, there's a risk of wasteful spending, particularly in the absence of strict criteria for allocation.

3. Eligibility Criteria: The bill outlines comprehensive but complex eligibility criteria for student parents, which could lead to confusion and impact the effective identification and support of those eligible.

4. Administrative Burden: The extensive reporting requirements may impose a significant administrative burden on institutions, possibly diverting resources from direct child care services.

5. Use of Funds Restrictions: The prohibition on using funds for new construction could hinder institutions that need to build new child care facilities, potentially limiting program reach and impact.

6. Priority Guidelines: The bill provides broad directives on prioritizing support for single parents and leveraging local resources but lacks specific guidelines on how these priorities should be balanced or implemented.

Impact on the Public and Stakeholders

Broad Public Impact

The potential benefits of the CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act are significant, particularly for student parents striving to balance educational pursuits with parenting responsibilities. By alleviating some child care challenges, this bill can enable more parents to complete their degrees, ultimately benefiting the broader societal landscape by enhancing workforce skills and economic stability.

However, the bill's effectiveness may be hindered by vague funding allocation criteria and administrative demands on educational institutions. These could divert focus and resources from providing direct aid to those who need it most.

Specific Stakeholder Impact

For Student Parents: The bill has the potential to positively impact student parents, especially those eligible for Pell Grants. Access to child care could remove one of the largest barriers they face in pursuing higher education.

For Educational Institutions: Universities and colleges could benefit from the financial support to develop or enhance on-campus child care services. However, smaller institutions might struggle with the administrative requirements, detracting from their ability to execute the program effectively.

For Child Care Providers: Increased demand for child care services could result, benefiting providers near participating institutions. However, restrictions on construction funds might limit growth opportunities for new facilities.

In conclusion, while the CCAMPIS Reauthorization Act offers promising solutions for child care provision to student parents, ensuring consistent and equitable implementation will require addressing its funding, administrative complexities, and eligibility criteria.

The proposed bill, H.R. 9559, involves several financial aspects designed to support the Child Care Access Means Parents In School Program, aiming to improve child care services for student parents in postsecondary education. Here is a detailed examination of the financial elements and associated issues:

Financial Allocations in the Bill

Minimum and Maximum Grant Amounts

The bill authorizes the Secretary to award grants ranging from $75,000 to $2,000,000 annually to eligible institutions. This range is intended to help colleges provide or enhance child care services for student parents. Such a broad spectrum allows institutions varying in size and capacity to apply for appropriate funding levels based on their needs and plans for improving child care services.

Appropriations for Program Funding

The bill authorizes an allocation of $500,000,000 annually to be appropriated from fiscal years 2025 through 2030. This significant investment underlines the priority given to improving access to child care services for student parents. The appropriations, however, do not include a detailed distribution plan, which may raise concerns about potential inefficiencies or uneven fund allocation among institutions.

Issues Related to Financial Allocation

Lack of Specific Distribution Guidelines

The authorization of $500,000,000 annually without clear guidelines for how these funds will be distributed may result in an inefficient allocation. Institutions might receive funding disproportionate to their needs or capacities, leading to potential wastefulness or underfunding for some programs.

Grant Size Discretion and Justification

With a maximum grant amount of $2,000,000 annually, there is significant discretion regarding how these funds are allocated. Without clear criteria, some institutions could receive large sums without sufficient justification, raising concerns about fiscal responsibility and the potential for wasteful spending.

Vague Application Process for Supplemental Grants

The provision indicating that "the Secretary may consider applications" for supplemental grants introduces uncertainty. This vagueness allows for subjective decisions in approving additional funding, creating opportunities for favoritism or inconsistencies in granting supplemental funds.

Administrative and Operational Concerns

Extensive Reporting Requirements

The detailed reporting requirements laid out in the bill could pose a heavy administrative burden on institutions. This could divert resources away from direct child care services, as significant time and effort would be required to comply with the annual reporting obligations, potentially impacting the overall effectiveness of the program's financial investment.

Quality Assurance and Financial Implications

While the bill mandates that child care programs must meet high-quality standards within three years, it does not specify penalties for noncompliance. This could lead to disparities in program quality between institutions, risking the intended impact of the financial allocations. Furthermore, the prohibition on using funds for new construction might restrict certain institutions' abilities to expand their child care facilities, potentially limiting the program's success in enhancing access.

Conclusion

Overall, while the bill's financial allocations reflect a strong commitment to improving child care services for student parents, several issues could impact the effective use of these funds. Addressing these concerns through clearer guidelines and criteria for fund distribution and supplemental grant applications, alongside adjustments to minimize administrative burdens, would enhance the program's impact and ensure that the financial resources are utilized effectively.