$25 million grant in Indiana focuses on child care needs

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A $25 million grant is targeting child care needs in Indiana.

Indiana Family and Social Services Administration's Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning announced the Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund on Monday, according to a news release. The program is intended to expand child care offerings for the needs of working Hoosiers.

"Employers know first-hand the critical needs of their employees, and are best positioned to partner in their communities to create child care solutions that will help build and retain their workforce," Holcomb said in a news release. "This targeted grant program will boost Indiana’s economy and most importantly empower the state’s youngest learners with the tools they need to be successful in the years to come."

The program is a partnership with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. According to a news release, the program uses a portion of federal relief funds from the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant funding can be used to support employees' child care needs like sponsoring dependent care assistance plans, providing on-site or near-site child care or offering child care tuition benefits.

Grants of up to $750,000 will be awarded, according to a news release. The full list of uses is available by clicking here.

Employers have to be located in Indiana and employ more than 20 people to be eligible. Applications are accepted until Nov. 22 at 11:59 p.m.