School Age Child Care Grant

The School Age Child Care Grant is administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration through its Office of Early Childhood and Out of School Learning. The program is funded through the School-Age Child Care Project Fund, which is designed to support the operation and enhancement of school-age child care services across the state. These services specifically target children between the ages of five and fifteen and are intended to provide structured care outside of regular school hours, including before and after school, during school breaks excluding summer vacation, and for kindergarten-aged children. The fund aims to ensure that working families have access to reliable, safe, and developmentally appropriate child care options. The primary purpose of the grant is to improve the quality, accessibility, and sustainability of school-age child care programs. Funding is intended to supplement existing operations rather than replace core funding, enabling programs to expand services, improve staff capacity, and enhance program offerings. The grant focuses on supporting enrichment activities, staffing, equipment, professional development, and transportation services that directly contribute to improved outcomes for children. Programs are expected to use funds strategically to address service gaps, increase quality, and create long-term improvements that extend beyond the grant period. Grant funds are provided on a cost reimbursement basis, meaning recipients must incur expenses before submitting claims for repayment. Funds may be allocated across several allowable categories, including program enrichment activities such as tutoring or arts programming, equipment purchases capped at a per-item limit, staffing costs up to a defined percentage, staff training requirements, and transportation services. However, there are strict limitations on usage, including prohibitions on direct tuition payments, weekend or late-night care, services for children under five, and costs already covered by other funding sources. These restrictions ensure that funds are used to enhance program quality rather than subsidize core service delivery. Eligibility for the grant is limited to licensed or regulated child care programs that are either operated by public school corporations or nonprofit organizations with tax-exempt status. Programs must have been in operation for at least one full year prior to applying and must remain in good standing with all regulatory and licensing requirements throughout the grant period. Additional compliance requirements include adherence to state and federal regulations, maintaining appropriate certifications, and demonstrating financial and operational stability. Programs must also meet Child Care and Development Fund provider standards, even if they do not currently serve voucher recipients. The application process is conducted exclusively online through the Indiana State Budget Agency’s grants management system. Applicants must provide organizational and financial information, including bidder and supplier identification numbers, licensing details, and program-specific financial data. The evaluation process includes an initial pass/fail review for eligibility and completeness, followed by a scored technical review that assesses how funds will be used, the extent to which they address service gaps, and the sustainability of proposed improvements. Additional priority points may be awarded based on factors such as serving high-need populations or operating in rural areas. The grant timeline for the referenced cycle begins with an application opening on January 14, 2026, and a closing date of February 13, 2026. Following submission, applications undergo review and scoring, with award notifications typically issued within two to four months. Successful applicants enter into grant agreements with the state, with the performance period running from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. During this time, grantees must submit monthly reimbursement claims, quarterly reports, and complete required program evaluations, including family satisfaction surveys. Performance and accountability are central to the grant structure. Grantees must fully utilize awarded funds, submit timely reimbursement claims, and meet reporting and evaluation requirements. Programs are required to conduct semi-annual family surveys and achieve a minimum satisfaction threshold, with corrective action plans required if standards are not met. Additionally, programs must participate in quality improvement initiatives and maintain documentation for audit purposes. These requirements ensure that public funds are used effectively and that funded programs deliver measurable benefits to children and families.

Provide detailed and specific descriptions of how funds will be used focus on addressing service gaps and demonstrate long term sustainability of improvements prioritize clarity completeness and alignment with scoring criteria