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Our Impact

On this page:

Igniting change that propels student parents and their families toward brighter futures

We advance the postsecondary success and well-being of

student parents in California
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children of these student parents
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IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
Up to $1.3 billion in additional federal aid unlocked

through our sponsorship of and successful advocacy for the GAINS for Student Parents Act

Over $120,000 in direct support to student parents and institutions

to support our advisory committee’s leadership development and to drive institutional reform through our Community of Practice

More than 20 resources and research publications

filling key knowledge gaps on this understudied population 

Over 10 colleges supported in increasing student parents’ visibility and introducing their children to higher education

through Bring Your Kid to College Day

More than 70 individual and organizational members uniting

to build collective power for advancing student parent success

Over 30 media mentions, speaking engagements, and statewide convenings amplifying student parents’ voices,

shaping public conversation, and building statewide momentum around key issues in our policy agenda

Bright Spots

Changing laws to advance student parent success

In 2024, California enacted our first sponsored bill, the GAINS for Student Parents Act. This law:

  • Expands financial aid and benefits access for college and career success; and
  • Empowers colleges to better identify the student parents they serve.

The work didn’t stop there. We’re now supporting the GAINS Act’s implementation across all three segments with key resources and guidance.

“The GAINS for Student Parents Act is an investment in two generations. It’ll break cycles of poverty.”
STUDENT PARENT
Chico State

Enhancing institutional student parent policies and practices

Because implementation matters, and we want to walk alongside those on the ground, we bring together student parents and practitioners to spur institutional change at the local level through our Community of Practice. The inaugural participants, Reedley College and Long Beach City College, have taken steps to improve data practices, family-serving policies, and inclusive cultures on their campuses.

“Student parents’ lives don’t get easier when a policy is passed or signed into law—that happens when their campus makes tangible changes. The power of these Communities of Practice comes from higher education professionals working together to learn from one another and then to build solutions for their campuses’ unique contexts—and for their unique student parent community.”
Christopher J. Nellum, Ph.D.
Executive Director, EdTrust-West

Convening leaders to chart bright futures for student parents

Our biennial Student Parent Summit has become the premier gathering for this movement. Hundreds of student parents and advocates come together to share actionable insights and forge new connections. From multigenerational panels to policy workshops, the summit’s events have sparked action across sectors, including building momentum for our GAINS Act advocacy.

“It was inspirational to hear from students and how they've navigated barriers. The Summit motivated me to be vocal about the issues student parents face and to come up with ideas that will address their concerns.”
2024 Summit Attendee

Supporting multigenerational prosperity through actionable data

Our research agenda has produced essential insights to drive collective action:

Between conference presentations, media features, and more, this research was critical fuel for our GAINS Act advocacy and continues to inform our work.

“We hope higher ed leaders read these reports and ask within their institutions who are the student parents on campus and what are their outcomes. Harnessing more data effectively is a critical first step in advancing student parent success.”
Su Jin Jez, Ph.D.
CEO, California Competes

Looking Ahead

Explore the key initiatives shaping our next chapter.

Student Parent Summit 2025 (September 9–10, 2025)

Reaching new heights with policy insights, powerful storytelling, and a celebration of leaders in this work.

Community of Practice Cohort 2 (September 2025–Feburary 2026)

Expanding to six more campuses across all three segments to drive family-serving reforms across California higher education.

Student Parent Research Grant (June 2025–June 2026)

Distributing $25,000 to support groundbreaking research that informs smarter policy and practice.

Statewide Resource Hub (Coming 2026)

Launching a first-of-its-kind dashboard to map and compare student parent supports across institutions.

Looking Ahead

Explore the key initiatives shaping our next chapter.

Student Parent Summit 2025 (September 9–10, 2025)

Reaching new heights with policy insights, powerful storytelling, and a celebration of leaders in this work

Community of Practice Cohort 2 (September 2025–Feburary 2026)

Expanding to four more campuses across all three segments to drive family-friendly reforms across California higher education.

Student Parent Research Grant (June 2025–June 2026)

Distributing $25,000 to support groundbreaking research that informs smarter policy and practice.

Statewide Resource Hub (Coming Spring 2026)

Launching a first-of-its-kind dashboard to map and compare student parent supports across institutions.

Support
Our Work

Your support will help us:

  • Build student parent leadership through our Advisory Committee
  • Equip colleges to implement family-serving policies and practices
  • Fuel one of the largest statewide gatherings dedicated to advancing student parent success
  • Advance research to better understand student parents’ experiences and inform policies that empower them to thrive
  • Ensure policies and practices reflect the lived realities of today’s students
  • …and more!
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