INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) on Friday announced it will extend the application period for its employer-sponsored childcare grants by adding a second window.
The $25 million program offers employers seed funding for childcare initiatives using some of the state’s remaining pandemic-era federal relief funds.
The agency opened the program, which is a partnership with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, last month.
The first round of applications is due on the original deadline of 11:59 p.m. on November 22. But a second round will close at 11:59 p.m. on December 15.
According to a news release, FSSA will award up to 75% of the funds in the initial round. Award announcements will go out in December.
The agency will consider any unsuccessful first-round applications, along with new applications, during the second round. It’ll make awards public in January.
To be eligible, employers must be located in Indiana and be a business or corporation, a group of local employers, or a community-based nonprofit organization applying on behalf of a group of local employers. In each scenario, the entities must employ a staff of 20 or more.
Employers must also be willing to match 10% of the total amount they request and be able to take action within the first year of the program.