Early Learning Indiana Awards Nearly $100K to Support Ministry-Based Programs

Ministry-based child care programs in Brazil, Seymour, Crown Point and Hammond awarded grants

INDIANAPOLIS – In support of local child care ministry programs, today Early Learning Indiana announced it has awarded $97,650 in grants to four programs across the state.

The registered ministry grants are designed to encourage faith-based early education and care providers to participate in Indiana’s child care quality rating and improvement system, Paths to QUALITY. The voluntary, four-tiered system rates providers on meeting basic health and safety standards, supporting learning, use of planned curriculums and earning national accreditations.

“These investments will open the door to high-quality early education to more children in more communities,” said Maureen Weber, Early Learning Indiana president and CEO. “We are pleased to partner with these programs to improve their quality so they can continue to offer reliable, affordable, community-based services to families.”

All of the grant recipients are:

• Annunciation Catholic Montessori School, Brazil, was granted $16,000 to support its new early care and learning program, opening this August. Early Learning Indiana funds will be used to purchase materials for two classrooms.
• Immanuel Lutheran Child Care Ministry, Seymour, was granted $37,650 by Early Learning Indiana. It will use $17,650 at its Walnut Street facility for materials for four classrooms and for building improvements. The remaining $20,000 will be used at its Chestnut Street location for materials for two classrooms and for various building improvements.
• Momentum Daycare, Crown Point, was awarded $20,000 to purchase materials for six classrooms and to cover costs associated with meeting the state’s staffing requirements.
• Morning Star Academy, Hammond, has been awarded $24,000 to purchase materials for its six classrooms.

Through its efforts to bring high-quality early care and education to communities throughout the state, Early Learning Indiana has awarded more than $1.9 million in grants to create 1,500 new, permanent high-quality slots throughout the state. Grants like these are made possible thanks to the generous support of the Lilly Endowment and its $20 million investment in support of Early Learning Indiana’s efforts.