Little Sparks Heading link
Supporting UIC Parenting Students
The Little Sparks Program’s mission is to support UIC parent-students by providing affordable, high-quality childcare for infants, toddlers, and young children, along with a comprehensive wraparound care system, study-play areas across campus, accessible lactation rooms with counseling support, year-round family events, and fostering a culture of visibility and belonging.
As of October 2023, University of Illinois Chicago became a proud recipient of the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant which is a federally funded by the U.S. Department of Education. Little Sparks Program will use grant funds to support student-parents as they complete their education by providing childcare funding and wrap-around support.
Do You Need Help Paying For Child Care? Heading link
Learn how the Little Sparks Program can help you cover the cost of child care for children ages 0-5 years old.
UIC parents have a study place of their own Heading link
The Little Sparks Family Study Space, funded by the CCAMPIS grant, supports student parents, faculty, and staff with young children. Opened on March 24, 2025, it provides a family-friendly environment where parents can focus on their studies while children play comfortably.
Developed by Melinda Young, in collaboration with the UIC Children’s Center, University Health and Safety Office, and Library of Health Sciences, this space promotes accessibility and academic success. Located in the Library of Health Sciences, it’s open to all student parents seeking a supportive study space.
UIC Receives Federal Support for Student Child Care Programs Heading link
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) and U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) today announced federal support for the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and William Rainey Harper College in Palatine from the U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program (CCAMPIS).