Valparaiso – Early Learning Indiana awarded a $20,000 grant to Immanuel Lutheran Preschool as part of the $15 million Come Back Stronger Fund, supported by Lilly Endowment, to reinforce Indiana’s supply of high-quality early learning opportunities, especially for the state’s most vulnerable children. Immanuel Lutheran Preschool will use the grant funds to support safety-related expenses and challenges as it continues to serve families in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
“The health and safety of our children, families, and staff is our top priority,” said Immanuel Lutheran Preschool Director Tera Lewandowski. “In order for our community to come back stronger from the pandemic, high-quality childcare is extremely important, and we’re committed to supporting families who need childcare by providing a safe and educational environment.”
Immanuel Lutheran Preschool will use the funds to purchase individual learning kits, screening tools like thermometers and masks, UV light disinfectors, cleaning wipes, sprays, and additional storage are other items will be purchased with the grant that will assist in social distancing and safety protocols.
“The pandemic has shone a light on the critical role early care and education providers play in our society,” said Early Learning Indiana President and CEO Maureen Weber. “Families need quality childcare in order to go back to work, and children need safe and engaging environments to grow and learn. We’re grateful to Immanuel Lutheran Preschool’s commitment to providing high-quality childcare, and we’re excited to see what they and the other 154 providers do with their Come Back Stronger Fund grants.”
Early Learning Indiana awarded a total of $2,341,000 to 155 providers in this first round of grant awards. Immanuel Lutheran Preschool was required to submit a narrative on how it would use the grant funds and serve children from vulnerable populations, as well as meet the following criteria:
- Be a licensed and registered center, ministry or family childcare home provider in Indiana in good standing
- Be an approved CCDF or On My Way Pre-K provider or a provider that otherwise serves children from vulnerable family populations, defined as households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level
- Operate as a Paths to QUALITY™ Level 3 or 4, or as a Paths to QUALITY™ Level 2 with a demonstrated commitment to achieving a higher level of program quality
- Serve children ages 0-5
Early child care organizations can still apply for a Come Back Stronger Fund grant at www.earlylearningin.org/comebackstronger.