Overview

The Single Moms Success Design Challenge is an initiative launched by Education Design Lab in 2019, with from the ECMC Foundation. The goals of the initiative are twofold:

• Improve educational attainment and career prospects for single mothers by increase degree and other credential completion rates at participating community colleges. The initiative aims for a 30% increase in attainment rates by 2024, targeting more than 6,000 single mothers.
• Create scalable models by designing replicable and scalable solutions that other postsecondary institutions can adopt to support single mothers across the U.S.

The initiative focuses on reimagining education models to better fit the needs of single mothers, providing wraparound support services, career-aligned opportunities, and family-friendly resources. It takes a human-centered design approach, which involves intensive engagement with single mother learners to tailor services like flexible class schedules (programs that offer evening or online classes for single mothers who need to balance work and childcare responsibilities); childcare support; and career-building opportunities.

The initiative focuses on breaking down the financial, academic, and personal challenges faced by single mothers, especially: (1) lack of access to affordable childcare, (2) financial insecurity, and (3) insufficient support services.

The cohort involved the following community colleges tasked with developing and implementing innovative programs that respond to the specific needs of single mothers. Many projects focus on holistic support models that integrate academic advising with mental health services, financial aid counseling, and childcare support to help single mothers manage the competing demands on their time.

• Central New Mexico Community College (New Mexico) introduced $1,500 scholarships for single mothers, along with childcare vouchers and family-friendly events.
• Delgado Community College (Louisiana) incorporated single mom learners into its strategic plan and created an online community for them through its mobile app.
• Ivy Tech Community College (Indiana) offers Learn Anywhere courses, allowing students to choose weekly how they want to engage (in-person or online) to address challenges like childcare and transportation.
• Monroe Community College (New York) promoted flexible coursework options for unanticipated absences and a virtual orientation.

Many of the supported efforts are cross-sector collaborations in which colleges, non-profit organizations, and social service providers work together to provide holistic support that addresses educational, financial, and personal needs.

Each grant-supported effort is evaluated to assess effectiveness, and findings shared to improve practices in institutions serving single mothers nationwide.

Definitions Used in This Work

• Single Mothers: Women who are the primary caregivers and financial providers for their children without a co-parent or partner.
• Postsecondary Education: Education beyond high school, including associate, bachelor’s, and professional degree programs.
• Wraparound Services: Comprehensive support services addressing the multiple needs of students, including academic, financial, emotional, and childcare support.
• Holistic Support: Approaches that consider all aspects of a person’s life, recognizing that personal and external factors like family responsibilities and financial stress can impact educational success.

Funder

ECMC Foundation

Resources

Education Design Lab

ECMC Foundation Overview [Archived 2024, December 6]

Education Design Lab’s Single Moms Success Challenge

Insights | Pdf

Higher Ed Today News Article

Video Describing Project Models