ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Congressman Charlie Crist visited St. Petersburg College Seminole campus Wednesday and presented a check for $323,446 on behalf of the U.S. Department of Education to increase child care access for students at the school. 

The goal of CCAMPIS is to increase access to high-quality, affordable child care and support services for low-income students with children.  A recent survey of SPC students with children found more than 61 percent of respondents indicated that access and cost of child care has significantly impacted their ability to remain in school. 

The grant, which will total more than $1 million over four years, will allow SPC to develop a voucher-based child care program for low-income students.  SPC will work with community partners, such as the Juvenile Welfare Board, Lutheran Family Services Head Start, and Early Learning Coalition of Pinellas County, to offer vouchers for local, quality child care on a sliding fee scale. 

The program kicks off Spring semester of 2020. 

Parents like Nicole Graybarz can now have peace of mind and become successful students. 

Watch the video above to hear how this new program is changing the lives of students like Nicole and her husband.