FSSA Accepting Provider Applications For “On My Way Pre-K” Pilot
Indiana’s Family and Social Services Administration announced Wednesday it is accepting applications from preschool providers that want to participate in the state’s pre-k pilot program.
Only providers located in the five selected counties are eligible to apply.
Rachel Morello / StateImpact Indiana
The Family and Social Services Administration has announced a new, official name for the state's pre-k pilot program: "On My Way Pre-K."
The FSSA also announced a new name for Indiana’s first state-funded pre-kindergarten program: “On My Way Pre-K.”
In order to participate, providers must qualify as a level 3 or 4 institution on the state’s Paths to QUALITY ranking system, as well as sign an agreement requiring them to follow minimum attendance guidelines and administer required kindergarten readiness assessments at least twice throughout the year.
A full list of requirements, as well as application materials and other forms are now posted to the official On My Way Pre-K website.
FSSA Director of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning Melanie Brizzi says her department is excited to begin this stage of the operation.
“Beginning to enroll early learning providers in On My Way Pre-K marks a significant milestone in our mission to provide high-quality early education for lower-income students in Indiana,” Brizzi said in a statement. “We look forward to engaging as many programs as possible to help us open the doors to new learning opportunities for Hoosier children.”
The state will accept provider applications throughout the course of the program, but FSSA officials say they encourage eligible programs to apply as soon as possible.
The pilot program provides scholarships for low-income four-year-olds who live in one of the five participating counties: Allen, Jackson, Lake, Marion and Vanderburgh. Families can use these scholarships to send their child to any approved On My Way Pre-K provider.
The FSSA plans to release information next week regarding family applications to receive those grants. If selected for the first round of grants, parents can begin searching for an approved program on December 15.
As we’ve reported, the program will officially launch in four out of the five counties in January.
