In response to growing recognition that many students are also parents, many educational and social service institutions provide processes, policies, and support systems that are designed to boost retention and accelerate completion of educational and career development programs for students who are parents -- and their children. Examples of approaches:

• Braid and blend federal and state funding streams; e.g., Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG).
• Provide wraparound and bundled services; e.g., health services, benefits access, affordable childcare on campus and single-stop family resource centers.
• Enforce Title IX protections pertaining to pregnant and parenting students.
• Build faculty and staff capacity for approaches that support the needs of students who are parents.
• Provide summer programs for students who are parents and their children to boost retention, accelerate completion, and reduce loss of learning over the summer (known as “summer slide”) for school-age children.
• Sponsor Summer Food Services Program (SFSP) which provides summer meals and reduces food insecurity for children of eligible students.
• Increase flexible hours or self-service options through online access to help parenting students more easily obtain public service benefits and avoid missing classes due to hours spent in lines at government agency offices.
• Offer FASFA and other financial aid preparation workshops to help students who are parents access financial aid and offer financial literacy workshops to educate students about debt prevention and post-graduation financial success.

Some students who are parents also benefit from Two-Generation Approaches (2Gen)  which support whole families (both children and their parents and/or caretakers).

See Topic: Two-Generation Approach (2Gen Approach) | Learn & Work Ecosystem Library