Eastfield’s students hold many different titles. From student to worker to sibling, Bees bear many responsibilities. Parenthood, in particular, is a large determining factor for returning and continuing education students. Caring for the whole identity of the student is a core value at Dallas College, which is where the ChildCareGroup located at building K comes in to help. 

“Anyone in the community of Dallas County can utilize the program, they do not need to be a part of the Dallas College system,” said Angela Reagans, the center manager of Eastfield’s location. Before leading here on campus, Reagans was involved locally with Headstart programs, public Pre-K learning programs that set children up for success early. She then transferred to campus early in August 2021. 

With many legislative attacks on immigrant rights and status, parents and families  affected by those policies feel unsafe enrolling in programs such as ChildCare out of fear of retaliation. For the ChildCareGroup application, immigration status is a non-factor, meaning a parent’s documentation status holds no bearing on whether or not a child is accepted into the program. As the website displays, “By providing children with the highest quality early education, we prepare them for success in school and life.” Reagans holds this value high in the center, as the focus of the program is for “children to be in school.” She adds, “We want to make sure that they are kindergarten ready meeting all the developmental milestones and so our biggest thing is being able to not only address childcare, but also to make sure that we’re looking at the child as a whole.”

Some  support services are unavailable over break, leaving many parents destitute of childcare for weeks at a time. The program follows the Dallas ISD schedule, with breaks during the holidays, spring break and summer break. However, outside resources are made readily available during those times. “We partner with other community agencies in the community that we refer families to. We try to find a lot of free programs for our families so they can continue to be in a safe place,” Reagans said.

The program provides open enrollment to provide childcare services to Harvester Bees and members of Dallas County. Children 0-5 are eligible for enrollment if parents meet income guideline qualifications. For more information, visit https://childcaregroup.org.