A free preschool program for families who might otherwise be unable to afford it is now taking applications for next school year. The On My Way Pre-K program is available for families with income below 127 percent of the federal poverty level.
The household must also have parents or guardians who are working, looking for work, going to school, or attending job training. There are also a limited number of vouchers available for families meeting slightly less strict income and employment requirements.
To qualify for the 2021-2022 school year, a child must be four years old by August 1, 2021 and plan to start kindergarten in 2022. Families can apply at OnMyWayPreK.org.
On top of that, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration announced a new program Monday that will cover 80 percent of the cost of early education or out-of-school programs for children of essential workers. “Build, Learn, Grow” provides scholarships for kids 12 and younger to attend early care and education, summer learning, or out-of-school care programs from May through October. To qualify, a family’s income must be within 250 percent of the federal poverty level, and at least one adult in the household must work in an essential business.
The program is funded by the federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act. More information can be found at BuildLearnGrow.org.
