MUNCIE, INDIANA — Muncie & Delaware County BY5 Early Childhood Initiative, Inc. has been awarded $100,000 from Early Learning Indiana to create a regional shared service hub that will help local childcare providers balance operational demands with providing affordable, quality care.
“We are honored to receive a Stronger Together grant from Early Learning Indiana and Lilly Endowment to continue improving the childcare services in Delaware County,” said Missy Modesitt, executive director of BY5. “Through the creation of this regional pool of shared services, local childcare providers will be able to streamline their operations, save money and focus their time on providing quality early care and education.”
BY5 is one of seven grant recipients from across Indiana. With the grant funds, BY5 will create shared services for childcare management systems, childcare provider training, and behavioral health strategies, as well as support childcare programs in Delaware County.
“Early care and education providers operate with razor-thin margins as they juggle the actual cost of providing care and the ability of families to afford it,” said Maureen Weber, president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana. “The organizations we’ve awarded Stronger Together grants will directly impact the sustainability of local providers, influence the affordability of care for families, and enable providers to focus their scarce time and resources on the business of learning.”
In addition to awarding grant funding, Early Learning Indiana has partnered with Opportunities Exchange (OppEx) to offer technical assistance to all grantees. OppEX is a national nonprofit consulting group working to transform the business of early care and education to improve child outcomes and ensure practitioners are well-compensated and work in supportive environments.
Learn more about the Stronger Together grant at earlylearningin.org/stronger-together.