As Georgia lawmakers wrangle over the budget, state officials are planning to expand the Childcare and Parent Services program (CAPS). The program provides child care assistance to low-income families. However, some education advocates say even with changes to the program, state-imposed budget cuts could keep it from growing.
To qualify for CAPS, parents have to meet “activity” requirements. They can do that by working or going to school. However, only certain degree programs satisfy the activity requirement. Parents working on a GED or an associate’s degree, for example, meet the standard. However, parents working on a bachelor’s degree would also have to meet a work requirement to qualify for assistance.
Recently, state Sen. Elena Parent, D-Atlanta, sponsored a bill that would let parents who are working on a four-year college degree qualify for CAPS without having to satisfy a work requirement, too.
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