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INDIANAPOLIS (Inside INdiana Business) – The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has launched a $ 540 million grant program to support early childhood education programs facing the challenges caused by the pandemic. The administration says the Build, Learn, Grow stabilization grants will help vendors cover operating expenses and invest in their future.
Eligible child care, early childhood care and education, and out-of-school time programs will be able to apply for the grants, which are made possible through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act that the state received.
The FSSA says the funds will be spread over at least two rounds of grants, with the first covering providers’ operating expenses for three months. Recipients will be able to use the funds to cover personnel costs, recruitment and retention of employees, installation costs such as rent, mortgages or utilities, maintenance and improvement of facilities, supports commercials such as new software, COVID-19 security needs and mental health supports.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has been extremely difficult for the early childhood education sector as providers strive to remain open to serve children safely, while many families have chosen to keep children at home. home or with family, which has an impact on the income of providers, ”said Nicole. Norvell, director of the FSSA’s Office of Early Years and Out-of-School Learning. “In addition to registration issues, providers continue to face rising procurement and material costs as well as staff shortages. “
The FSSA says more than 3,600 providers statewide will be eligible to apply. Programs must have been licensed or registered to operate in the state as of March 11, 2021, and must be open and currently serving children, and in good standing to be eligible.
Funding amounts will be calculated based on each provider’s program type, average attendance, staff costs, quality level and geography. The total amount that each vendor can receive will be capped at $ 500,000 per site.
You can find out more about the Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization grants in by clicking here.
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