Southern Indiana Business Report
The Family and Social Services Administration and Gov. Eric Holcomb announced last week a second round of funding for employer-sponsored child care.
This additional funding of $6.9 million will go to 22 businesses, community groups and school corporations. The grants are part of the state’s Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund. The program encourages employers and communities to increase child care offerings and accessibility. The new funding brings the total amount awarded to $25 million.
Blue Sky LLC, which owns the French Lick Resort, received a $500,000 grant.
As child care affordability and availability continue to be a challenge for working parents, Skylar Whiteman, Orange County Economic Development Partnership executive director, said the grant will be a significant help to parents.
“I’m thrilled that the Resort received this grant funding and for the opportunity for them to support their employees,” Whiteman said. “Childcare is a barrier for our workforce and the Resort continues to show their commitment to identifying barriers and helping their employees, and our community, overcome them.”
With the existing and additional funding, 40 employers will offer on-site child care to employees and 15 employers will offer child care tuition benefits to workers. The other companies awarded money will provide various child care benefits for employees, including reserving spots at partner child care centers.
The program, a partnership with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, uses a portion of the state’s remaining federal relief funds from the COVID-19 pandemic and is part of the state’s broader efforts to strengthen the early child 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.