MUNCIE. Ind.—The Indiana Senate passed a bill on Jan. 29 that allocates $300 million in temporary funding for the Child Care Development Fund (CCDF). Many childcare centers across Indiana have been impacted by the funding cuts.
The bill is now headed to the House of Representatives for further consideration. Lawmakers have one month left in the legislative session to sign the bill.
According to Early Learning Indiana, more than 32,000 Indiana children are on the waitlist for the CCDF voucher program.
United Day Care Center has faced the impact of these cuts, along with many other day care centers.
Before the program lost its funding three years ago, United Day Care Center expanded its facilities by adding more classrooms due to sufficient funding and a long waitlist of children eager to join their center.
“Our families are going to be devastated,” said Carol Johnson, executive director of United Day Care Center. “We have a holistic approach because we know our children. Many of them are food insecure, and a lot of them don’t have dependable housing. They need to work in order to afford this.”
United Day Care Center has laid off six employees due to financial reasons, reduced staff training and is seeking more affordable food services.
“There are thousands of people out there who want a job and want to work, but they have no place to send their children,” Johnson said. “So it’s going to have an economic impact.”
Delaware County isn’t the only county in Indiana facing these common issues.
Falisha Bright, a provider in Marion County, posted on the Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children about the challenges she’s been facing.
“Without support, many providers like me may have to raise prices, cut enrollment, or close,” Bright said.
Johnson noted that United Day Care Center may soon receive grants of $75,000 and $50,000 to support its programs.
The daycare center offers various programs, including free quality pre-K, to help ease the financial burden on families.
To stay updated on Indiana CCDF voucher cuts and changes through 2026, visit https://www.in.gov/fssa/carefinder/child-care-assistance/.
Contact Lauren Burris with comments at Lauren.burris@bsu.edu.
