2022-2023 Initiatives: Accessible Childcare On Campus

Status: In-Progress

Point of Contact(s): Jai'Shon Berry

The University of Washington Tacoma has the Childcare Assistance Program (CAP) for student parents. While this program has been able to help many, more can be done to better support these students. We aim to expand childcare access for student parents by increasing financial support for CAP recipients and by providing on-campus alternatives for childcare.

November 7th 2022 Update:

Jai'Shon is currently in talks with Cassidy Inamasu, the Executive Director of the University Y, to potentially expand the existing "child watch" space. The program is currently for gym-goers, but Jai'Shon hopes to expand the space for students.

Jai'Shon has identified that funding this endeavour is the biggest barrier, and the university's budget crisis has made it more challenging. CAP has already seen the impacts of this budget crisis by its decreased funding this year. Despite this, Jai'Shon aims to get more funding for the program for future student parents.

November 28th 2022 Update:

Jai'Shon and affiliated parties are currently exploring existing childcare programs for college students in the area to potentially collaborate with. More information to come... 

February 24th 2023 Update:

Jai'Shon has found that progress in obtaining accessible and affordable childcare on-campus options for student parents has been extremely slow, but there is hope as the University Y is actively looking to expand their Child Watch Program to cater to students full-time, although staffing and staff training remain a significant barrier. Due to the slow progress that this initiative has taken, Jai'Shon has begun taking an active role in other initiatives.