Indianapolis Pre-K Program Will Work With State Program

Indianapolis will rely on resources from the state’s On My Way Pre-K pilot to help administer the city’s own preschool initiative. 

The city-county council recently approved Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard’s plan to introduce preschool for local low-income 3- and 4-year olds – a goal similar to that of the state’s On My Way Pre-K pilot. Marion County is one of five counties participating in that program.

Eligibility requirements for Ballard’s “Indy Preschool Scholarship Program,” or Indy PSP, are only slightly different from those for the state’s pilot. Rather than requiring children be 4-years old and their families to earn 127 percent of the federal poverty line, Indy PSP will also allow 3-year olds from families living at 180 percent of that level.

To avoid confusion, those interested in either program will fill out the same application on the Family and Social Services Administration’s website, and experts will determine which they qualify for.

The children will ultimately wind up in the same places – Indy PSP will funnel eligible kids to providers approved for On My Way Pre-K.

FSSA Spokeswoman Marni Lemons says this is a great endorsement of the state’s efforts.

"The purpose here for everyone is to provide high-quality preschool," Lemons said. "They'll all be served from the same high-quality providers, and we think that that’s what’s most important."

The FSSA is accepting applications through April 30.