SKYCTC awarded childcare solutions grant to support parenting students

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College has been awarded a $60,000 Childcare Solutions grant through the Kentucky Success Collaborative, housed at the Council on Postsecondary Education.

According to a release on Monday by SKYCTC, the grant is part of a statewide initiative to remove barriers that hinder parenting students from enrolling in and completing their education.

The funding will be used to identify strategies, build cross-sector partnerships and implement sustainable solutions to better support students balancing academics and caregiving responsibilities.

“This grant represents an important first step toward addressing the childcare challenges our students face,” said Dr. John Thomerson, retention and resource coordinator – SKY RISE Title III Programs at SKYCTC. “We are committed to building lasting systems of support so that parenting students never have to choose between their families and their education.”

Over the three-year grant period, SKYCTC will:

• Conduct a Parenting Student Needs Assessment to review current supports, barriers, and demographic data.
• Develop cross-sector partnerships with community organizations, early childhood providers, and student services.
• Create a Childcare & Support Solutions Action Plan with clear strategies and sustainability models.
• Launch a pilot implementation project.
• Produce a Final Report and Sustainability Roadmap to guide long-term improvements.
• Grant administrators will attend a statewide seminar later this month to begin the planning process. While the funding will not fully solve childcare challenges, it represents meaningful progress in creating solutions that can be scaled and sustained for years to come.

“This grant allows us to take a vital step forward in serving students holistically and ensuring they have the resources they need to succeed,” said Dr. Chris George, Director of TRIO Programs & Title III (SKYRISE) at Southcentral Kentucky Community & Technical College.