Introducing
Your new presentation assistant.
Refine, enhance, and tailor your content, source relevant images, and edit visuals quicker than ever before.
Trending searches
A
Paths to QUALITY™ is Indiana’s statewide rating system for early care and
education programs. It is a free resource to help families make informed
decisions and to help early care and education providers improve the quality
of their programs. There are four levels of quality that can be achieved by participating providers. Each level builds on the foundation of the previous one,
resulting in significant quality improvements at each stage and in national accreditation at the highest level. The system validates child care programs for
ongoing efforts to achieve higher standards of quality and provides incentives
and awards for success.
Who administers early childhood education in Central Indiana?
United Way of Central Indiana administers the Indy Preschool Scholarship Program. It was chosen in part because of its record of overall effectiveness, trust and accountability in collective impact initiatives. Additionally, United Way is recognized as an early advocate for and investor in increasing both the supply of and the demand for high quality early childhood education throughout Central Indiana. Promoting strong educational and societal outcomes for children is essential to United Way’s overall mission: helping more people become thriving, self-sufficient and contributing members of the community. The organization is always seeking more partners to invest their time, financial support and advocacy for early learning as a means to that end.
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is responsible for administering programs that provide healthcare and other social services to Hoosiers in need. The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) under the FSSA administers the State’s pre-k pilot program, On My Way Pre-k. The vision of OECOSL is that every community has a strong network of Early Care and Education and Out-of-School time programs that support the child, the family and local schools. The OECOSL maintains other programs, like Paths to QUALITYTM and the Early Learning Advisory Committee, that further quality, affordable and accessible programs for children in Indiana.
The Children’s Bureau, Inc. is a private, non-profit that works in partnership with the Indiana Department of Child Services and other organizations statewide. The Children’s Bureau initiatives focus on advocating for all children and families, focusing on those that are at-risk. It was chosen as the intake agent for the Indy PSP and On My Way Pre-k for its commitment and experience in serving at-risk populations. Currently, the Children’s Bureau provides services in 47 counties to more than 43,000 children annually.
How is early childhood education funded?
The Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) helps low-income families obtain
child care so they can work, attend training or continue their education. The purpose
of CCDF is to provide low-income families with the financial resources to locate and
afford quality child care as well as increase the availability of these programs.
To qualify for CCDF, applicants must meet certain nonfinancial and financial
requirements. Nonfinancial requirements include state residency,
working or going to school, citizenship of the child receiving CCDF assistance
and choosing a CCDF-eligible provider. To be eligible, a family’s income must be at or below 127 percent of the federal poverty level. Once on the CCDF program, a family’s gross income cannot exceed 85 percent of the state median income to
remain eligible.
Intake agent for CCDF
Marion County is participating along with 4 other counties in the State’s pre-k pilot program, On My Way Pre-k.
The program provides free scholarships for low-income 4-year-olds from families living at or below 127% of the Federal Poverty Level to attend quality pre-kindergarten programs.
Families of 4-year-old children that fill out an application will be automatically considered for both IndyPSP and On My Way Pre-k. There is no need to fill out multiple applications. 3-year-old children will only be considered for scholarships from IndyPSP.
Funding for On My Way Pre-k comes from the State of Indiana and is administered by the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) under the Indiana Family & Social Services Administration (FSSA).
The Indy Preschool Scholarship Program (IndyPSP) provides free scholarships for children from low-income families to attend quality preschools.
Children between the ages of 3 and 4 who are from families living at or below 185% of the Federal Poverty Level may be eligible for an IndyPSP scholarship.
First priority will be given to children from families living at or below 127% of the Federal Poverty Level. Selected families may choose to send their child to any of the approved program providers.
The United Way of Central Indiana serves as the program administrator. For more information, read about the United Way of Central Indiana. Funding for the IndyPSP comes from the City of Indianapolis and our corporate and philanthropic community.
How does it all come together?