John Wood Community College and Parent and Child Together Team Up to Bring Student Parent Support to Quincy, Illinois
For more than a decade, John Wood Community College (JWCC) and Parent and Child Together (PACT) talked about bringing early learning and parent support to West Central Illinois. And in June 2025, their plans became reality: a newly renovated building on JWCC’s campus and an established on-campus program for children ages 0-3.
Today, the partnership is part of Kids on Campus, an initiative between the Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT) and the National Head Start Association (NHSA) that brings early childhood education to community college campuses to remove barriers and give parenting students a better chance to remain enrolled.
Both organizations play a role that extends support. JWCC covered significant upfront costs, including renovations, a playground fence, and the in-kind donation of a full-time cook from its culinary arts program. PACT prioritizes JWCC college students and staff in its selection criteria, serving as a training opportunity for JWCC early childhood education students to complete hands-on observations, internships, and apprenticeships alongside experienced PACT staff.
With approximately 60% of enrolled Head Start families currently attending the college, this location has one of the highest concentrations of parenting students of any Kids on Campus site.
“Our collaboration with John Wood Community College is a strong example of what a partnership can accomplish,” shared Sara Mixer, PACT Executive Director. “Together, we are supporting working families, preparing future educators through hands-on experience, and delivering high-quality Early Head Start services — all while making the most responsible use of public resources.”
Serving eight rural counties in Illinois, JWCC and PACT show how access to the right resources and infrastructure can benefit both campuses and communities at once. And the two don’t plan on losing momentum — JWCC has drawn up floor plans for potential expansion should additional funding become available.
As Kids on Campus works toward its goal of 50 partnerships by 2030, stories like theirs are just one example of what’s possible nationwide.
Additional Resources
Learning Without Limits: Kids on Campus Year Two Annual Report
AVANCE - San Antonio and Palo Alto College Partner to Support Parenting Students on Campus
About Kids on Campus
Kids on Campus is a national initiative led by ACCT and NHSA that connects community colleges and Head Start programs to expand access to on-campus early childhood education for parenting students. The initiative aims to establish 50 partnerships by 2030. Learn more at kidsoncampus.org.
