The $1.2 million investment is part of the Rescue Plan’s $540 million promise to fund childcare and early care and education – like Pre-K services
INDIANAPOLIS – The Indiana Democratic Party, the organization that advocates for the future of Indiana and its families, today celebrated the brighter future the American Rescue Plan is STILL creating for the Hoosier State. This time, Kokomo School Corporation announced it received a $1.2 million investment for the district’s Pre-K services. The funding will be used for new education materials, staff salaries, and an expanded capacity at facilities – meaning, more kids will be permitted to attend Pre-K. These investments create a better future for families in Howard County, and Indiana Democrats delivered on this critical kitchen-table issue.
The same cannot be said for Indiana Republicans who flat out voted “NO” on these investments. In fact, Indiana GOP Chairman Kyle Hupfer called these kitchen-table issues “socialism” and claimed their opposition to jobs was a “great campaign to run on”. Democrats will highlight the Republicans’ “NO” record throughout the statewide “The Jobs Tour”. Voters will learn that while Democrats delivered Indiana’s bright economic future, Republicans divided communities with their culture wars.
Here’s a look at how the American Rescue Plan is delivering for families in the City of Kokomo:
Kokomo Tribune: Kokomo preschools get $1.2 million boost
“Two grants totaling more than $1.2 million stand to upgrade Kokomo School Corporation’s preschool classrooms for the long term.
The Kokomo Board of School Trustees approved a $769,904 Build, Learn, Grow Stabilization Grant at its February meeting. This is the second grant the school corporation has received. The first one, approved in December, was worth more than $482,000.
Superintendent Mike Sargent said the second grant came as a surprise.” […]
“Funding is through the federal American Rescue Plan and distributed through the Indiana Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning.
Stabilization grants are meant to “support child care, early care and education and out-of-school time programs” facing cost increases and challenges due to the pandemic, according to a news release
Grant funds can be used to cover a number of different expenses, including employee pay, recruitment and retention, rent and utilities and facility improvements.
“Kokomo Schools will utilize these grant funds to enhance our already exceptional community preschools, which will allow the corporation to expand capacity,” Tammy Ticker, director of elementary education, said in a statement. “These Stabilization grants will cover some staff salaries and provide professional development for all preschool staff, while also allowing us to purchase additional educational materials and equipment.”
More than $152 million was awarded in the first round of funding, with grants going to 2,777 providers in Indiana.
The state received $540 million in total from the federal government for stabilization grants.”
###
