HANCOCK COUNTY — Governor Eric Holcomb announced through a recent press release that the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning is awarding $18.1 million in employer-sponsored child care grants to 64 businesses, community groups and school corporations across the state.
Two of those locations are in Hancock County — Community School Corp. of Southern Hancock County and Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation.
This initiative is a part of Gov. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda and is aimed to “help mobilize employers and communities to create and/or expand child care offerings for the needs of working families.”
“We wanted those who know first-hand the critical needs of their employees, and those who are best positioned to partner in their communities, to create child care solutions for their workforce, and they delivered,” said Gov. Holcomb in the press release. “This effort harnesses the combined efforts of businesses, community groups, and schools that want to support working Hoosiers’ careers and our youngest learners across the state.”
Employers throughout the state will use these funds to offer either on-site child care or tuition benefits to their workers. Of this round of awardees, 33 employers plan to provide the on-site care with 13 offering benefits. The press release said the remaining awardees plan to offer support in various ways, such as receiving seats at partner child care centers.
This round of awardees will receive 72% of available funding from the $25 million fund. Round two awardees – which will be announced in early 2024 – will receive the remaining funds.
The breakdown of funds received is by size, with larger employers of 1,000 or more employees receiving up to $750,000 each, mid-sized employers with between 100 and 999 employees will receive up to $350,000, and small employers with between 20 and 99 employees will receive up to $50,000.
Community School Corp. of Southern Hancock County received $200,000 and Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation received $350,000.
Dr. Jack Parker, superintendent of Mt. Vernon Community School Corporation, said that they are delighted to receive a grant to help support their employee child care needs.
“Quality childcare can positively impact the lives of our employee families, and it is our aim to do everything we can to make raising a family just a little easier,” Dr. Parker said. “Mt. Vernon has a strong commitment to support our employees and provide rich benefits, including eight weeks paid maternity and paternity leave for the birth or adoption of a child. We are thankful to the Mt. Vernon Education Foundation for writing this grant, and we would love to partner with the foundation on this project.”
The program is a partnership with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and uses portions of the state’s remaining federal relief fund from the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a part of the state’s broader efforts to strengthen the early care and education sector, “providing support for today’s workforce and investing in tomorrow’s.”
The program is also supported by the Indiana Manufacturers Association.
