March 29, 2023

$10M available to expand child care programs in Indiana

The Child Care Expansion Grants will increase capacity, in part by increasing the number of teachers trained to deliver high quality care.  - Sydney Dauphinais/WFYI

The Child Care Expansion Grants will increase capacity, in part by increasing the number of teachers trained to deliver high quality care.

Sydney Dauphinais/WFYI

Child care providers across the state can now apply for funding to help grow their business.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has made $10 million available to increase access to early childhood education statewide. 

“We have prioritized improving the quality of child care, and the number of seats available, especially for low-income families for a number of years,” said Marni Lemons with FSSA. “So this is another step to take to do that.”

The funding is offered through two tracks: it can help expand existing programs or fund new programs. Up to $200,000 will be available for existing high-quality programs, as long as they accept low-income families who receive child care subsidies. Up to $750,000 will be available for new program creation, with priority given to underserved areas of the state. 

The funding was made available in last year’s special legislative session, in addition to leftover COVID-19 relief money. Grant applications are available now through May 12 at brighterfuturesindiana.com

Contact WFYI economic equity reporter Sydney Dauphinais at sdauphinais@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @syddauphinais.

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