Lilly Endowment Awards $21.9 Million Grant to Ivy Tech Foundation to Strengthen Early Childhood Education Workforce in Indiana.
Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $21.9 million grant to the Ivy Tech Foundation to help address Indiana’s early childhood education workforce challenges. The three-year grant aims to expand access to high-quality education and training for current and future professionals in the field.
Indiana is facing a shortage of qualified early childhood education professionals, which limits the state’s ability to provide adequate childcare options for families. Ivy Tech Community College, the state’s largest provider of postsecondary education for early childhood professionals, will use the grant to broaden its programs and create new opportunities for workers entering or advancing in the field.
“Recruiting, retaining, and compensating qualified teachers and caregivers are among the most pressing challenges for early childhood education in Indiana,” said Ted Maple, vice president for education at Lilly Endowment. “While Ivy Tech cannot solve these issues alone, we believe its plan to expand and enhance education and training offerings has the potential to make a significant impact on the early childhood workforce and ultimately benefit thousands of young children across the state.”
Ivy Tech plans to increase enrollment in its early childhood programs by over 100% by 2027. The grant will also fund the development of several initiatives, including:
Competency assessments to recognize skills gained from previous on-the-job experience and identify areas for improvement.
New micro-credentials focused on key topics in early childhood education, such as child development, health and safety, and family engagement.
Partnerships with state agencies, organizations, and other institutions to launch federally registered early childhood apprenticeships for adults.
Exploration of a “Kids on Campus” program to support student parents.
New pathways for students to transfer their associate degrees in early childhood education toward more advanced degrees.
A statewide marketing campaign to promote education and training opportunities in early childhood education.
Courtney Roberts, president of Ivy Tech Foundation, emphasized the importance of early childhood educators, saying, “They are critical to children’s learning and development and play a foundational role in the success of Indiana’s workforce and economy. This generous grant will enable Ivy Tech to offer relevant and responsive training that will improve the quality of early childhood education, help retain existing professionals, and attract more educators to the field.”
The grant from Lilly Endowment is expected to support the growth and development of Indiana’s early childhood education sector, benefiting both educators and the children they serve.
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