Spring 2024
WHEREAS, The 2023-2024 Student Senate for California Community College’s State Legislative Priority articulates under College Affordability and Basic Needs, that student stability and safety is an important sector that urges legislators to prioritize the education of students part of single parent households that are striving to pursue their higher education [1];
WHEREAS, There is a decline in the enrollment of single parents due to the rising cost of college in combination with the continued high cost of non-tuition expenses such as child care, housing, transportation, etc., which has disproportionately affected student parents’ ability to afford college [2];
WHEREAS, Programs aimed at supporting single parenting students by providing them with resources intended to alleviate burden and overcome adversity should be prioritized since as stated by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, data on the enrollment of single parenting students reflects that “the number of college students who are parents dropped more sharply than among students overall,” [2]; and
WHEREAS, Assistance with core elements of parental responsibilities, including childcare, housing or shelter, and other basic needs for single parenting students and their children, should be advocated for by the Student Senate for California Community Colleges as stated in California Competes’ A Policy for California Student Parents, “student parents who had access to campus childcare had a 21% increase in degree attainment”, moreover “addressing the needs of current student parents will enable the 3.9 million Californians with children but no college degree to see college as a realistic option,” [4]; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for students who are the heads of single parent households and meet the criteria of being in need of financial assistance should receive additional resources related to childcare and basic needs to alleviate financial burden and advance their ability to achieve academic success;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges encourage every California community college to enhance the services to assist currently enrolled students who are the heads of single parent households and provide benefits intended to advance their academic success as well as their well-being and that of their dependent(s) through related student service programs developed at every California community college;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for all California community colleges to be granted reliable funding to create supportive programs and initiatives designed to better support their single parenting student populations and address their specific needs; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for Basic Needs Centers, Extended Opportunity Program Services, and related student services established at California Community Colleges to collaborate to seek additional resources within the community for single parenting students and actively promote the availability of these resources.
WHEREAS, There is a decline in the enrollment of single parents due to the rising cost of college in combination with the continued high cost of non-tuition expenses such as child care, housing, transportation, etc., which has disproportionately affected student parents’ ability to afford college [2];
WHEREAS, Programs aimed at supporting single parenting students by providing them with resources intended to alleviate burden and overcome adversity should be prioritized since as stated by the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, data on the enrollment of single parenting students reflects that “the number of college students who are parents dropped more sharply than among students overall,” [2]; and
WHEREAS, Assistance with core elements of parental responsibilities, including childcare, housing or shelter, and other basic needs for single parenting students and their children, should be advocated for by the Student Senate for California Community Colleges as stated in California Competes’ A Policy for California Student Parents, “student parents who had access to campus childcare had a 21% increase in degree attainment”, moreover “addressing the needs of current student parents will enable the 3.9 million Californians with children but no college degree to see college as a realistic option,” [4]; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for students who are the heads of single parent households and meet the criteria of being in need of financial assistance should receive additional resources related to childcare and basic needs to alleviate financial burden and advance their ability to achieve academic success;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges encourage every California community college to enhance the services to assist currently enrolled students who are the heads of single parent households and provide benefits intended to advance their academic success as well as their well-being and that of their dependent(s) through related student service programs developed at every California community college;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for all California community colleges to be granted reliable funding to create supportive programs and initiatives designed to better support their single parenting student populations and address their specific needs; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for Basic Needs Centers, Extended Opportunity Program Services, and related student services established at California Community Colleges to collaborate to seek additional resources within the community for single parenting students and actively promote the availability of these resources.
Status:
The SSCCC did not pursue this resolution during the current cycle due to limited capacity and competing organizational priorities. However, we recognize the importance of the issues raised and are committed to working in partnership with the Student Parent Caucus to explore opportunities for future advocacy and action.
As part of this commitment, the SSCCC will consider developing a Parent Student Advocacy Toolkit to support local and statewide efforts. Potential components of the toolkit may include:
- Regional flyers listing local resources such as childcare centers, food pantries, and other support services
- Email templates for reaching out to child care providers regarding voucher programs
- Templates for contacting campus basic needs centers to inquire about additional grants or resources for single-parent students
- A summary of current and past advocacy efforts related to parenting students, including relevant legislation
- A story collection component to highlight lived experiences of single student parents
- A draft resolution template that Student Body Associations (SBAs) can adapt and share with campus stakeholders
- Research and data on parenting students in higher education to support local advocacy
This toolkit aims to equip student leaders with practical tools and information to support parenting students and advance equity across the California Community College system.