Project Overview

Families in the Greater Lafayette Region are unable to access quality childcare. Without quality, reliable care, those same families are unable to enter or remain in the workforce. The purpose of the READI funds is to increase the capacity of the region's early care and education infrastructure by taking a collaborative approach to recruiting new programs and strengthening the landscape as a whole using the following methods (Scope of Work): Licensure Pathway Incentive (Start-up funds for childcare programs to assist program owners in starting). 2. Capacity-building mini-grants (Funding opportunities for projects are designed to increase capacity in new and existing programs). 3. Regional Shared Services Hub (Shared services to decrease overhead costs). 4. Project Manager (Hire a manager to implement and manage this project). Q3 '22-Build/strengthen county coalitions, Q4 '22 Survey to understand needs, Q1 '23 Hire Program Manager, Q1-Q2 '23 roll out application request for funding (providers), '23-'24 work with providers to implement their capacity building plan, Q4 '23 Launch Regional Shared Service Hub. The outcome of the program will include 40 new childcare spots, which is a 71% increase. ROI: Workforce preparation, health outcomes, reduced crime, economic health, lower program costs. Lost Dollars: Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) vouchers, On My Way Pre-K, State/Federal Funding, and Grants and other funds for “formal” childcare programs for the counties.