Early Learning Indiana

Congratulations to our board member Freedom Smith for being named by the Indiana Lawyer to the 2024 class of Diversity in Law. Early Learning Indiana continues to benefit from Freedom’s leadership and perspective as we work to empower children in Indiana with the essential skills to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. https://lnkd.in/gA7FD7Md

?? Exciting news! Early Learning Indiana has partnered with LENA, thanks to a $3.2 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc., to improve early childhood language development across Indiana. The LENA Grow? program will equip teachers with cutting-edge tools to boost verbal interactions, enhancing language and literacy skills in our youngest learners. Together, we’re shaping a brighter future for Indiana’s children! ????

An investment in the early years is an investment in our future! Partners across Indiana are leading the charge to provide greater opportunities for young hoosiers to prepare for kindergarten and beyond. The strategies being implemented by the 133 communities and organizations of the Early Years Initiative are planting seeds which will benefit young people across Indiana for many years to come. Explore the work of the early years on our website: https://lnkd.in/gSwZ6CKQ

Sixty-eight communities and organizations joined the Early Years Initiative today, receiving $23 million in grants to help meet the developmental needs of infants and toddlers and surround Hoosier families with the resources to support the learning that occurs from birth to age 3. Since the $60 million Early Years initiative began in March 2023, it has engaged 133 organizations, supported more than 6,500 children and served 5,660 families across Indiana. https://lnkd.in/gSwZ6CKQ

Today we welcomed sixty-eight communities and organizations into the Early Years Initiative! Their efforts will ensure infants and toddlers in Indiana develop foundational knowledge and skills that support their future learning and development. Discover the work happening in your community at https://lnkd.in/gSwZ6CKQ

“Hundreds of thousand Hoosier children need high-quality early learning experiences to thrive in school and beyond. For the business community, the Untapped Potential report illustrates a two-fold impact as parents are forced to leave today’s workforce while tomorrow’s workers cannot reach their full potential. ELI will continue our work with partners in government, business and the philanthropic community to ensure high-quality early learning opportunities for all Indiana children.” https://lnkd.in/g9_cpWKd

Inadequate childcare has a negative impact on Indiana’s workforce and the overall business environment in the state. U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Early Learning Indiana released a new report: “Untapped Potential in Indiana: How Childcare Impacts Indiana's Workforce Productivity and the State's Economy.” Read more. https://lnkd.in/g9_cpWKd

In case you missed it--Early Learning Indiana CEO Maureen Weber spoke with Inside INdiana Business about the impact inadequate access to child care is having on the state’s economy.

What could Indiana do with $4.22 billion? That’s how much economic activity is lost every year in Indiana due to the lack of childcare availability. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, the Indiana Chamber of Commerce and Early Learning Indiana released this finding and more in a new report “Untapped Potential in Indiana: How Childcare Impacts Indiana's Workforce Productivity and the State's Economy.” Learn more.http://https://lnkd.in/eRxYGXs

?? Thank you to all of the amazing volunteers who gave their valuable time to benefit children across Day Early Learning centers. Their hard work made Day of Impact 2024 a massive success. Your service will benefit children for years to come.