News Release

WABASH — Indiana’s Family Social Services Administration awarded the Community Foundation of Wabash County a grant for $750,000 to help employers in Wabash County make child care more affordable for their employees. Employees who work for a company that belongs to Manchester Alive or Grow Wabash County can apply for discounted rates at licensed child care centers, registered child care ministries or licensed home child care programs as long as the grant lasts.

In a 2020 study conducted by Indiana University, researchers showed that employees with children younger than 5 are absent from work more than 13 days per year due to unstable child care.

“Child care is an economic and a business issue,” said Tenille Zartman, president and chief executive officer of Grow Wabash County. “Employers depend on it to attract and maintain a workforce. Parents depend on it to get to work. And children depend on the lifetime benefits of early education, like good brain development and social and emotional health benefits.”

Many families know child care is expensive. Depending on the child care program, child care can cost about the same as a year at a state university. In many cases, women leave the workforce to care for children younger than 5 at home. The parent who stays at home may then lag in wages, training, promotions, bonuses, increases and Social Security contributions. The family with only one income may struggle to maintain a property, make purchases, attend to health issues and save for their family.

Julie Garber, vice president for strategic initiatives of the Community Foundation, talked about the impact of the grant on keeping costs of child care low for working families.

“This generous grant will mean that low- to moderate-income families with children currently in child care or who are seeking a seat in child care, will pay no more than 10% of their household income per child for child care for the coming year,” said Garber. “The average cost of child care is about $10,000 annually. If a family of four has an income of $60,000, the family will pay $6,000, and the grant will pick up the remainder. This is a game changer for employers and employees.”

Eligible families must:

• Be employed by a member business of Grow Wabash County or Manchester Alive.
• Currently enrolled or planning to enroll a child or children in a licensed child care center, ministry or home in Wabash County.
• Contribute 10% of household income (adjusted gross income from line 11 of the family’s 1040 federal tax return) to child care expenses.
• Have a household income that is less than 300% of the federal poverty level. That is less than $93,000 for a family of four.
• Not be participating in the state voucher program for early childhood education.

Heather Cruz, president and chief executive officer of Manchester Alive, encouraged families to check their eligibility with their employer and enroll in the discount program with their child care provider.

“The Employer-Sponsored Child Care Fund Grant brings to light the strong collaboration in Wabash County linking work, families, education and well-being into one initiative,” Cruz said. “Wabash County is a leader in the region in creative ways to increase child care capacity, quality, accessibility and affordability. Manchester Alive is excited to be part of this effort.”

Child care discounts are awarded through local child care centers, ministries and homes that are licensed by the state of Indiana. Grants are available on a first-come, first-served basis and will discount fees for up to 12 months of enrollment. Enrollment will begin in April. Families should contact their employer to know if they are eligible to participate.