Johns Hopkins University is expanding and restructuring its childcare voucher program to ease the financial burden of parenthood on its community members.
Last week, the university announced a multimillion-dollar investment in its childcare program that will pay for both home-based and licensed care. The school has also expanded family income brackets that qualify for assistance and they would receive a flat amount instead of a percentage of care.
Full-time employees of the university, postdoctoral fellows, full-time doctoral or medical students, residents, and house staff will be eligible to receive vouchers of $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000 as per the income bracket they fall in.
“We know from our faculty, staff, and graduate students how vital quality, affordable childcare is in enabling them to thrive at work, take on a range of professional and academic responsibilities, and have peace of mind while they are here with us,” said JHU President Ronald J. Daniels.
According to the “College Students with Children” report, conducted by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research in 2017, there are currently more than 4.8 million student parents across the nation, predominantly residing in the southeast, southwest or Great Lakes regions of the country.
The study found that parents with children, especially single parents, often have lower rates of degree attainment compared to traditional students. Furthermore, only 27 percent of single parents are able to attain a degree within six years of enrollment.
Last year, the university hired Jeanne Lovy as the university’s first director of family support services who since then has been at the helm of restructuring and diversifying family-oriented programming.
“This is an exciting step in terms of giving families more financial assistance and more choices that can make a difference in meeting their childcare challenges,” Lovy said.
Interested community members can apply for the vouchers program through Sept. 12, 2019.