Pictured are the exteriors of the IUPUC building and the Columbus Learning Center in Columbus, Ind., Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The Community Education Coalition (CEC) has been awarded nearly $40,000 for its plans to pilot a coaching and accelerator program for child care providers in the Columbus area.
The Duke Energy Foundation and the Indiana Economic Development Association (IEDA) announced five “child care innovation” grants totaling $115,000, which have been awarded to organizations working to assess and address childcare gaps in Indiana communities. The CEC was awarded the largest sum at $39,500.
According to a release, the local coalition, in partnership with Su Casa, Learn by Heart and the Indiana University ServeDesign Center, will pilot a “six-month coaching and business accelerator program to support the growth and development of high-quality child care programs in the Columbus area, with an emphasis on recruiting within the Latino community.”
“All families – regardless of race, income, neighborhood or primary language – should have access to affordable, high quality child care,” said Kathy Oren, president and CEO of the CEC. “The funds provided through this grant will help develop strategies to create a much stronger county-wide system of supports for those looking to start a child care or early learning program. The grant will also help us to increase the number of Spanish-speaking early learning teachers and the number of child care slots in Bartholomew County. We are truly grateful to the IEDA Foundation and the Duke Energy Foundation for this impactful grant award.”
For more on this story, see Friday’s Republic.
