KENDALLVILLE — Jenna Anderson, coordinator for the Early Childhood Coalition of Noble and LaGrange counties, took her advocacy message for high quality, inexpensive baby care to the Indiana Statehouse Monday. She testified in a listening to earlier than the Indiana Senate’s Household and Kids Committee, advocating for Senate Invoice 368.
Invoice Konyha of the Northeast Indiana Regional Chamber and Allie Sutherland, coordinator of the Northeast Indiana Regional Early Childhood Coalition additionally testified.
The invoice, authored by state Sen. Stacey Donato, R-Logansport, would set up cost-sharing childcare program between dad and mom, employers and state authorities in 11 counties in northeast Indiana if it passes.
Amendments are anticipated for the invoice earlier than it receives a second committee listening to within the state senate.
The pilot program would expire June 30, 2027, for the counties of Adams, Allen, DeKalb, Huntington, Kosciusko, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wabash, Wells and Whitley.
The invoice additionally creates the Early Childhood Care and Training Fund. SB 368 would earmark $11.5 million for the fund for annually of the pilot cost-share program. Mother and father, taking part employers and the state every pay 1/3 of the price of baby care and training.
Kids eligible to be served by the pilot program have to be age 7 or youthful; an Indiana resident; receiving high quality early training companies from a certified supplier; and has a dad or mum or guardian working for the taking part employer.
Noble County’s tri-share baby care program is already on the launching pad, Anderson informed legislators.
“For me, it was about understanding the way it will assist households and kids,” Anderson mentioned. “SB 368 will add workers to the workforce as dad and mom get again into the workforce. It should enhance the financial system and get extra children in high quality baby care.”
The Noble County tri-share program has one distinction from the regional tri-share program being proposed in SB 368. Anderson mentioned the Noble County program addresses affordability and entry points. Each baby care supplier in Noble County has a wait listing of dozens of kids.
Anderson mentioned northeast Indiana was chosen for the pilot program as a result of its early childhood coalitions are already organized and collaborating.
Connections between employers, dad and mom and baby care suppliers are already being constructed.
Anderson mentioned the state senators requested questions, together with why northeast Indiana was an excellent match for the pilot program.
“The info from a handpicked county shouldn’t be as helpful as knowledge from a area,” she mentioned.
Anderson had by no means testified at a legislative listening to earlier than. Sher mentioned anybody could apply on line to discuss a invoice, however discover of being chosen is brief. She realized Saturday that she was picked to talk on Monday.
“We have been capable of arrive, then give the the reason why we do what we do,” she mentioned. “Our causes are legitimate.”
She and others will present supporting paperwork to the senators, then amendments shall be thought of earlier than a second studying. The invoice will then go to the Appropriations Committee to assign funding.
Anderson mentioned she expects to return to the statehouse when the amended invoice is heard. She feels constructive about her legislative expertise.
“I felt very supported there,” she mentioned. “I appreciated the senators’ questions and insights.”
