Nana grants and similar programs from TCSG can change career opportunities for many parents.
September 1st is not only a traditional calendar kickoff for a new school year in the Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG), but it now marks a beginning of a different sort – help for TCSG students who are parents of young children.
Nana Grants offers a multi-generational approach to promoting economic mobility through education. Nana Grants gives single mothers the opportunity for a life-changing post-secondary education. At the same time, Nana Grants ensures that children in poverty receive a high-quality early-education experience.
—-from the Gwinnett Citizen
This is the latest in a series of moves from TCSG designed to offer small supports that have a large impact on student's ability to start and finish their enrollment. In addition to child care services, TCSG also offers other assistance through the TCSG Foundation such as the Gretchen Corbin Last Mile Fund. The Fund recognizes that more times than not, students are derailed on their path in higher education by small expenses adding up over time. The Last Mile Fund provides light assistance generally less than $500 that can help with everything from flat tires to backup emergency child care for a sick child.
These types of supports were highlighted in last year's Opportunities Lost report from the Metro Atlanta Chamber and the Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students. Lost proved that around 30% of student-parents of children ages 0-5 miss up to five days per semester which can cost grades, time and even withdrawl from a class. Having "safety catches" like Nana Grants, the Corbin Last Mile Fund, and others, is vital to ensuring a viable workforce supply in the state.
