Early Years program gives $23M to lay foundation for Indiana toddlers
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Thanks to funding by Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc., nearly 70 community organizations are joining the cause to help Indiana’s young children attain better educational outcomes.
Early Learning Indiana announced this month that 68 organizations are joining the not-for-profit’s Early Years Initiative and getting $23 million in total.
The grants are meant to build a foundation for Indiana toddlers so they can start their education on the right foot. Each organization receiving funding focuses on one of four topics:
- Parenting Preparation and Support – Strengthening families through home visiting and parent education programs
- Child Care Access and Effectiveness – Ensuring access to supportive child care
- Early Detection and Intervention – Supporting the early detection of developmental needs or disabilities and implementing responsive interventions
- Early Language and Literacy – Promotion
Early’s Learning Indiana President and CEO Maureen Weber said it’s critical to make a positive impact on young children.
“Research is clear that a child’s brain develops most between birth and age 3 and that the neural pathways formed in these earliest years of life form the basis for all future learning and development,” Weber said in a news release. “That’s why the work of the Early Years Initiative is so critical. We must ensure supportive environments and responsive interactions between infants and toddlers and their caregivers to set the trajectory for their overall development and lifelong learning.”
This round of funding includes money for 68 early childhood groups, but in total the Early Days Initiative has helped 133 organizations in total, the release said
Grant recipients range from social service providers, faith-based organizations and community foundations to child care providers, school districts and colleges. A full list of organizations receiving money this round can be found here.
Editor’s Note: A previous version of the story had an incorrect title for the Early Years Initiative.