Regional Child Care Catalyst - READI
Right Steps is proud to administer the Regional Child Care Catalyst to increase access to quality child care for working parents! Owners of current and prospective child care programs in Benton, Fountain, Tippecanoe, Warren, and White Counties are welcome to apply.
We are accepting applications on a rolling basis. Please apply below:
About this Funding
Generous support from the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) and the local government in Benton, Fountain, Tippecanoe, Warren, and White Counties allows Right Steps to assist new and existing child care programs in achieving their goals of expanding capacity. Applicants must submit a formal proposal via Submittable to be considered for this funding. The proposal requires a formal budget, up to two letters of support from local stakeholders, and a narrative explaining how the project will:
- increase access to eligible child care opportunities for children approved for CCDF (Child Care Development Fund) vouchers and
- increase access to child care in QCTs (Qualified Census Tracts) or disproportionately affected communities.
The sustainability of projects will also be a significant factor in the review process.
Read more about:
The Need for More Child Care
Child care is an essential service for working families! In the five-county region, there are estimated to be 11,440 children ages birth-5 that likely need child care. There are only 6,146 child care opportunities for these children and their families, or 54% of the need. This means there are over 5,000 children that need child care and cannot access it. And that’s just within the five counties! It doesn’t account for families that travel in for work, education, or other opportunities.
That's where dedicated, passionate early childhood educators like you have the opportunity to make a difference!
Check out more Indiana early childhood data on the Brighter Futures Indiana Data Center here.
Types of Capacity-Building Projects
For Existing Child Care Programs
You are already providing child care but you wish you could make a greater impact…
You may be eligible for up to $1,000 per new child care opportunity you create. These funds will help cover start-up costs for new care and learning environments
For New Child Care Programs
If you are brand new to the field or you want to formalize your program…
You may be eligible for start-up funds up to $1,000 per new child care opportunity you create. Child care regulations may seem overwhelming but partners like The Child Care Resource Network, SPARK Learning Lab, and Indiana AEYC are here to set you up for success and sustainability.
Region Map
This funding is available to current and prospective child care programs with plans to increase capacity in the following Indiana counties:
- Benton
- Fountain
- Tippecanoe
- Warren
- White
Programs located outside this region are not eligible to apply for this funding. Connect with your local Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agency to connect with other initiatives or funding opportunities to increase child care capacity.
Allowable Expenses
Expenses required to be compliant with Indiana’s child care laws and regulations for licensure or CCDF Provider Eligibility Standards. These could include:
- pre-employment or pre-licensure screenings including drug test(s), background check(s), and fingerprinting
- water or lead testing
- safety equipment such as smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and anti-scald valves
- equipment for safe sleep environments for infants
Expenses from purchasing equipment and furnishings to outfit your child care environment. These could include:
- classroom furniture
- sleep environments
- small appliances
- electronic hardware & software
- non-permanent outdoor play equipment
Expenses from purchasing materials to promote age-appropriate development and play in your child care environment. These could include:
- activity supplies
- educational toys
- materials to support the implementation of curriculum in your program
Expenses from improving your owned or leased facility to meet the health, safety, and development needs of children in your care. These could include:
- adding or removing walls to increase usable space in your facility
- adding egress (ways to exit a building) or other emergency precautions
- costs for renovations
- large appliances
- the purchase and installation of permanent outdoor equipment
- labor costs
NOTE: Any funding requests in this category should correlate with the requirements for CCDF eligibility, licensure, or increasing quality.
Please consult with your child care licensing consultant, CCR&R, and/or your local fire marshal for guidance on requirements, laws, and regulations.
Fees or expenses for hiring experts that provide short term services including:
- project managers
- architects or designers
- accountants or other financial personnel
- attorneys
Expenses incurred by pursing training and education related to your role as an early childhood caregiver and educator. Depending on the regulatory requirements to which your program must adhere, you may be required to achieve some level of formal or informal education and training.
T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Indiana, is a unique scholarship program that links education, compensation, and commitment to improve the quality of early care and educational experiences for young children and their families. Information about Indiana T.E.A.C.H. scholarships can be found here.
Temporary expenses incurred due to hiring and paying staff. These expenses may be incurred during the process of starting up a program or closing during expansion efforts.
Project Timeline
Application Opens
Child care programs can submit proposals to increase child care capacity here.
Q&A Webinar
An opportunity for child care programs to learn more about the Catalyst funding opportunity. Register here. Those that are unable to view the webinar live can access the recording shortly afterward.
Proposals Due
Applicants should plan to submit their completed applications no later than September 6th at 11:59pm EST. Applications received after this deadline cannot be considered for this round of funding.
Awards Announced
After the review process, Right Steps will notify successful applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions or concerns can be directed to [email protected].
Under the leadership of Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Indiana has experienced four consecutive record-breaking years for job and investment commitments. To maintain this momentum and accelerate the state’s economic growth, Indiana launched the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a bold, transformational initiative that will dedicate $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments that will make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) partnered with regions across Indiana to fund projects designed to advance Quality of Life, Quality of Place, And Quality of Opportunity.
This project specifically is funded by READI and local matching funds from the local government and other stakeholders in the Greater Lafayette region.
Read more about READI here.
Owners/operators of current and prospective child care programs in the following Indiana counties are eligible to apply:
- Benton
- Fountain
- Tippecanoe
- Warren
- White
Applicants are eligible to apply for up to $1,000 per new child care opportunity (“spot”) created.
Examples:
- If an applicant applies to open a licensed family child care home with a capacity of 12, they would be eligible to apply for up to $12,000.
- If an applicant applies to expand the capacity of a program by adding a classroom, they would be eligible to apply for up to $1,000 for each new child care opportunity created.
Yes. Projects could be partially funded based on the allowable expenses, other selection criteria, and/or the availability of funding.
Yes. Applicants should submit a unique application for each location for which they plan to increase child care capacity.
The spirit of this project is to increase child care access for working families.
Applications will be evaluated on the basis of increasing access to child care opportunities that accept CCDF (Child Care Development Fund) vouchers and that serve children in QCTs (Qualified Census Tracts) or disproportionately affected communities. The sustainability of projects will also be a significant factor in the review process.
If awarded, funds will be sent to awardees as a reimbursement for costs incurred. Costs incurred prior to a signed agreement will not be considered for reimbursement.
While we admire applicants’ desire to be frugal, costs incurred to purchase used or second-hand items will not be eligible for reimbursement.
In order to promote the development, health, and safety of children in a high-quality environment, applicants should plan to purchase quality products from reputable sources. These products are more likely to withstand years of use and cleaning procedures required by Indiana’s child care regulations.
Read more about Indiana’s child care laws and regulations here.
It is by no means required that you hire a grant writer. Applications will be evaluated based on how well they describe the need rather than grammar.
Please be sure to:
- Answer all required questions thoroughly yet briefly to the best of your ability.
- Answer only the questions being asked.
We recommend using a free grammar checking tool like Grammarly to assist you in writing your responses.
Questions about the application can be directed to [email protected].
About Indiana READI
Advancing Quality Of Life, Quality Of Place, And Quality Of Opportunity
Under the leadership of Governor Eric J. Holcomb, Indiana has experienced four consecutive record-breaking years for job and investment commitments. To maintain this momentum and accelerate the state’s economic growth, Indiana launched the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI), a bold, transformational initiative that will dedicate $500 million in state appropriations to promote strategic investments that will make Indiana a magnet for talent and economic growth.
Through this initiative, the state will encourage neighboring counties, cities and towns to partner to create a shared vision for their future, mapping out the programs, initiatives and projects that are critical for them to retain talent today and attract the workforce of tomorrow.
READI is expected to attract at least $2 billion of local public, private and philanthropic match funding that will propel investment in Indiana’s quality of place, quality of life and quality of opportunity.
