[Congressional Record Volume 150, Number 125 (Wednesday, October 6, 2004)]
[Senate]
[Page S10563]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   CHILDCARE MEANS PARENTS IN SCHOOLS

  Mr. DURBIN. Mr. President, I rise to speak on behalf of the Childcare 
Means Parents in Schools Act. I am pleased to join Senator Dodd and 
Senator Snowe as a cosponsor of the measure. This bill would amend the 
CCAMPIS Program authorized under Higher Education Act to better 
facilitate the higher education of those students with children.
  For college students who are parents, a safe, nurturing environment 
for one's children is integral to degree attainment. Nearly 40 percent 
of students at higher education institutions are over 25 years old and 
almost 30 percent of undergraduates have children. Most American 
families utilize childcare: 75 percent of children under 5 are in some 
type of childcare. And for most families, childcare is the second 
largest expense in their budget after rent or mortgage.
  The Dodd-Snowe bill will modify the definition of ``low income 
student'' to extend childcare services to graduate students, 
international students and other students who would not qualify under 
the present language but may need childcare assistance. This bill also 
increases the program authorization to a level that could fund about 
one-quarter of the 4,000 colleges and universities eligible to apply. 
The amount of the minimum grant would be raised in order to make the 
grant process more cost-effective for applying institutions.
  Good childcare is often recognized as a first step to school success. 
It also can be an essential part of the process of being a good 
student. The peace of mind afforded by the security of knowing one's 
child is well cared for frees higher education students to pursue their 
own studies with a more focused determination. Without that foundation, 
a college education may not be attained.
  I urge my colleagues to support the bill and further extend the 
opportunity of higher education to parents across America.

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