State grant expanded to include child care education
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Early childhood education and child care credential training options will be added to the state’s workforce training programs as part of Gov. Eric Holcomb’s 2024 Next Level Agenda, his office announced Monday.
Programs will be funded through the Workforce Ready Grant and Employer Training Grant, which covers the tuition and fees for people in certain certificate programs. The Child Development Associate and other early childhood education programs are now included in the program.
“Child care is an important issue that has increasingly become a key workforce issue,” Holcomb said in a news release. “It’s critical that parents have access to quality child care, and quality child care starts with ensuring that the professionals caring for children are well prepared and receiving the necessary tools and appropriate training that prioritizes the safety of some our youngest Hoosiers.”
The state said in its release it hopes this supplement will train and increase the number of childcare workers. Other state funding has led to almost 100 new child care solutions including on-site or near-site child care, backup care and tri-share programs.
“It is imperative that Indiana is aware of and responsive to its workforce needs,” said Richard Paulk, commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, in the release. “By adding early childhood education training to the list of eligible Next Level Jobs programs, Indiana is demonstrating its commitment to strengthening our child care and early childhood education workforce, ensuring that Indiana’s working families have access to high-quality care and early learning settings.”
People can apply for the grant starting Feb. 1.