Grants are for kids, too

The Child Development Center on UTRGV’s Edinburg campus has been awarded a four-year, $1.5 million Education Department grant to offer free care to 65  children for fall and spring and 30 for summer.

Raquenel Sanchez, director of the Child Development Center, said the center received the grant in the past under UTPA, but they have to reapply every four years. 

“Last fiscal year … we [did] not have the grant, so we recently received it again and it becomes effective on Oct. 1,” Sanchez said.

During the 2017-18 academic year, parents and children were affected by the termination of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School grant. The CCAMPIS grant was not available for Pell Grant-eligible students and staff.

“The grant ended in Sept. 30, 2017, so for last [year] we didn’t have the grant. … We were aware [of the termination] and we notified the parents,” Sanchez said.

For this upcoming year, at least 70 UTRGV parents have already applied for the program.

“[The grant] pays for their child’s tuition to attend here free,” Sanchez said.

To apply for the grant, students must be Pell Grant-eligible and a full-time student. To retain the grant, they must complete seven hours of volunteer work at the center and attend three workshops, according to Sanchez.

Staff are welcomed to apply, as well, if they meet the requirements.

The center staff consists of 12 full-time and 30 part-time employees. Ninety percent of the part-time employees are UTRGV students.

 “I enjoy getting to know the students and the parents as well. … I really get to form a strong bond and connection,” said Kayla Monroe, a senior early childhood specialist.

Students follow state curriculum-approved programs, such as Frog Street and Big Day.

“The program helps the child’s development. It is essential in the younger years of life for students to have social and emotional developmental … needs met,” Monroe said.

Brianna Vela, an international business junior and teacher assistant said that although it is challenging, she enjoys sharing time with the children and learning how each has a unique personality.

“They’re able to make friends their age. … They’re able to interact and learn a lot more before they go to kinder,” Vela said. “I feel like it’s just something that would help them … and it would really prepare them for [kinder].”

Initially, the program was only available to UTRGV’s students and faculty, but it is now open to the surrounding community.

 “We recently have opened it up to the community as well,” Sanchez said. “Our priority is our UTRGV students and then our UTRGV staff, and if we still have slots available, then we’re open to the community.”

The process for applying is the same for everyone; however, the fees are different. The weekly fee for private-pay students is $115; for staff, $120; and community, $125. Prices vary for different age groups.

Community members also have to pay a yearly $250 building use fee because they are not affiliated with the university. All patrons are required to pay a $40 non-refundable registration fee per semester.

The center accepts children ages 3 months to 5 years and prepares them for kindergarten. The center is licensed for 140 children, but prefers to accept around 115 to 120 to maintain quality.

“To follow accreditation rules and to be a quality center, there’s different rules, so we usually stop at about 115, 120 students,” Sanchez said.

Although the center has no plans to expand to the Brownsville campus, Sanchez is trying to affiliate with other centers for students to apply.

“I am trying to meet with Workforce Solutions in Cameron County and see if we can develop a partnership, so that our students over [at Brownsville] don’t have to wait in a waiting list,” Sanchez said. “Instead of waiting on the list, they come by, I sign a referral for them, and they’re moved up to the top of the list.”

The center welcomes UTRGV student volunteers, including those majoring in education, psychology, nursing and communication.