Apr 19, 2018 4 min read

Johnathan Bissontz, 27, of California, is motivated to better his life and that of his two sons, Ethan, 2, and Myles, just a year old, by furthering his education.

But as a junior electrical engineering/technology and computer science double major at California University of Pennsylvania who is separated from his wife, he’s been having a difficult time caring for his sons, attending class, studying and paying the tuition bills with no income other than what he gets from weekend drills with the National Guard.

Thanks to a state Department of Education four-year grant of $389,000 meant to help low-income parents further their education by paying for child care services, he’s been relieved of some of his burdens.

Just one of Cal U.’s students who qualify for the Hand-in-Hand grant money, Bissontz had been taking his sons to The Village Childhood Education Center, a state and nationally accredited child care and preschool education program within walking distance of the university.

“I heard about the (Hand-in-Hand) program from Cherie Sears, The Village president, while I was doing my four hours of volunteer work each week at the child care center as part of the tuition scholarship I had been receiving,” Bissontz said. “Now, with my participation in the Hand-in-Hand program, I only have to put in four volunteer hours a month.”

Bissontz is not only getting full tuition for his sons to attend The Village, but he’s also able to have them stay at the child care facility full time. Previously, he was only able to keep them there while he was in class. Now he drops his children off at The Village four days a week for eight hours each day, except Wednesdays, when they’re at the facility for five hours.

“The grant is a way for students who have young children and are eligible to focus on their studies,” Sears said. “Hopefully, once they graduate, they will have the opportunity to better support their family through a successful career.”

Nancy Skobel, associate dean for student affairs and director of the Woman’s Center at Cal. U., said the grant will pay child care tuition costs for eight to 10 preschool children a year.

When Skobel first heard about the program, she immediately made application and received notice that the university was accepted late last fall. Subsequently, the program started at Cal. U. this spring.

To qualify, a student must maintain a minimum grade level and satisfy income guidelines. Once a student completes a financial aid application, an estimated family contribution is determined and a co-pay is applied on a sliding scale basis. Depending on the student’s income, it is possible to get full child care tuition. Recipients must apply for subsequent awards each semester.

Low-income students with military ties are given first priority for an award, Single mothers are first in line to receive a child care tuition payment. Remaining funds are awarded next to single fathers, followed by two-parent families. Bissontz, for example, has been in the military for 10 years, the first five in the Reserves, the last five in the National Guard.

In addition to providing funds for child care, the Hand-in-Hand program also coordinates university support services for students who are parents.

“We ask the recipients if there are any barriers or obstacles to furthering their education, and try to refer them to appropriate resources on campus such as tutoring,” Skobel said.

The Village received its nonprofit status in 2006 and opened in 2008. It operates with a staff of 20, and all teachers have an undergraduate degree in education or a related field. Three of The Village reading specialists have master’s degrees.

“We’re really glad to partner with Cal. U in the Hand-in-Hand Program because it really helps a lot of people,” Sears said.