Booker Reintroduces Legislation to Expand Child Care in Community Colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) reintroduced the Preparing and Resourcing Our Student Parents and Early Childhood Teachers (PROSPECT) Act to expand access to high-quality early childhood care at community colleges and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs). U.S. Representatives Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05) and Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) reintroduced companion legislation in the House.

Student parents face significant hurdles in pursuing higher education, and the lack of accessible child care is a major contributor to their struggle. This challenge disproportionately affects students of color, particularly Black, Native American, and Latina women, who make up a significant portion of student parents. The declining availability of on-campus child care exacerbates these difficulties, especially at community colleges. The consequences are stark: student parents often face financial hardship, higher student loan debt, and a greater likelihood of leaving college without a degree.

"Parents across our country who are attending college or dream of enrolling often struggle to find affordable, consistent child care while trying to pursue their education," said Senator Booker. "The PROSPECT Act is critical legislation that invests in child care preparation programs at community colleges and MSIs while also expanding child care at college campuses so students and their kids have the resources they need to succeed."

As a former student parent juggling coursework, multiple jobs, and the demands of raising a child, I know firsthand the struggles many working parents face today," said Congresswoman Hayes. The PROSPECT Act addresses this reality by making infant and toddler childcare more affordable and accessible on college campuses. This not only removes barriers to higher education but also invests in the well-being of families and the future of our workforce. By funding high-quality childcare programs and supporting early childhood educators, this bill empowers student parents to achieve their educational goals, secure better opportunities, and build a brighter future for themselves and their families."

"As someone who worked in construction as a single dad, I know access to childcare is critical to expanding opportunities, growing the middle class, and strengthening our economy," said Congressman Norcross. "Childcare affordability for students who have children is good for the parent, their family, and our community. I'm honored to join Congresswoman Hayes and Senator Booker in introducing the PROSPECT Act to give working families a fair shot."

"Generation Hope proudly supports the PROSPECT Act, a critical step toward ensuring student parents have access to the affordable, high-quality child care they need to succeed in higher education. By investing in both early childhood educators and the families they serve, this bill strengthens our communities and creates a brighter future for generations to come," said Nicole Lynn Lewis, Founder & CEO, Generation Hope.

The PROSPECT Act would establish competitive Federal grants that will empower community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions to become incubators for infant and toddler child care talent, training, and access on their campuses and in their communities. Specifically the legislation would:

• Invest in planning and implementation grants, including:
• • Impact grants, which would expand the supply and quality of infant and toddler child care in the community by providing training, mentorship, technical support, and expansion funding to new and existing area infant and toddler child care providers.
  • Access grants, which would provide free high-quality child care for up to 500,000 children under age three who have a parent attending a community college or Minority Serving Institution, thereby minimizing barriers to higher education completion, and reducing their post-graduation debt.
  • Pipeline grants, which would fund community colleges and Minority Serving Institutions to launch and expand academic programs in early childhood education, and to form strategic partnerships with regional institutions to expand, diversify, and strengthen the workforce pipeline for infant and toddler child care providers.
• This bill would also amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 1990 by:
• • Providing increased federal matching payments for child care to 90% for infant and toddler care, to incentivize states to raise their own investments in this area.

The PROSPECT Act is endorsed by Generation Hope, Public Advocacy for Kids, UnidosUS, ZERO TO THREE, First Five Years Fund, Early Edge California, First Focus Campaign for Children, Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children, National Association for the Education of Young Children, American Federation of Teachers, and Institute for Child Success.

To read the full text of the bill, click here.