Central Arizona College Receives a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) Grant

By Angela Askey, Executive Director of Public Relations and Marketing

Central Arizona College’s Early Childhood Education program recently received more than $400,000 for a Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant from the U.S. Department of Education.

The four-year CCAMPIS grant will support the operation of and expand the capacity of the Early Learning Centers (ELCs) at the Signal Peak and Superstition Mountain Campuses, which are managed by the Easterseals Blake Foundation. CCAMPIS funding will subsidize the childcare tuition and registration fees for low-income students. In total, these federal funds will support 20% of the full cost of program operations.

The ELCs have been in operation at CAC since July of 2015 and were established through a competitive grant process to serve the children of students, staff, faculty, and the community.

“It is our goal to provide a high quality early learning program for the campus and community. With this grant, we will be able to provide enhanced services and supports for low income student parents.” explained Melissa Busby, Director of Early Childhood Education.

Priority enrollment will be given to those students who are Pell grant eligible to assist them in achieving their educational goals.

For further information about the Early Learning Center at the Signal Peak Campus, please call (520) 494-5149 or for the Superstition Mountain Campus contact (480) 677-7768. Each of the ELCs is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.