Beth Hamer, director of Access and Success
The Minnesota Office of Higher Education (OHE) has awarded St. ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ University a $181,470 grant through its new . The funds expand the University's emergency grant assistance program administered by Access and Success, making ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ parents eligible to receive up to $3,000 annually to cover unexpected childcare costs — double what is currently available. For the first time, the grant also enables ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ parents to use emergency grants to cover mental health co-pays for themselves and their children, and to support legal fees related to custody disputes, divorce proceedings, or protection orders. Beth Hamer, director of Access and Success, will oversee this work.
Already, St. Kate's supports ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ parents by providing access to childcare and financial support, child-friendly study spaces, lactation rooms, and resources for pregnant ´ºÓêÖ±²¥s. The grant from OHE will help build upon and add to these crucial services, thus aiding in bridging the educational gap and providing more opportunities for ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ parents.
´ºÓêÖ±²¥ the Student Parent Support Initiative Program
The Student Parent Supportive Initiative program (SPSI) is a competitive grant program partnered with OHE and the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH). SPSI aims to support institutions in providing college-age parents access to necessary resources and services that aid ´ºÓêÖ±²¥ parents in completing higher education. Such resources and services may include providing families with affordable childcare and early education, mental health support, and stable housing while parents attend higher education institutes.