Pence Signs Pre-K Bill

Gov. Mike Pence today signed legislation to create a preschool pilot program. He says it’s the beginning of a new chapter of hope and opportunity for Indiana’s disadvantaged children.

The pilot program will provide anywhere between $2,000 and $6,000 per child so low-income Hoosier kids in five counties can attend a high quality preschool program. 

Pence signed the bill at DayStar Childcare Ministries in Indianapolis. Mike Bowling is the pastor of Englewood Christian Church, which runs DayStar.  He says the money the pilot program could provide would make an enormous difference.

“In a neighborhood like this one that has some economic challenges, it means that children won’t be sitting in front of the television set; they won’t be playing unattended out in yards,” Bowling said. “They’re going to be with other children and they’re going to be learning and they’re going to ready for kindergarten when the time comes.”

Pence said his administration is already working to get the program up and running as soon as possible.

“We’re going to identify those counties that we think are going to be best suited for rolling out this program and my hope is that we’ll be able to initiate this program within the next year,” he said.

The Family and Social Services Administration will provide $10 million for the program, while between $1 and $5 million will come from private sources.