The Advocate

Early Learning Indiana eNewsletter

Early Education Gains Momentum in Indiana 

The Indiana General Assembly recently finished its session and expanded access to early learning. Click the video above to learn more about the key reforms and what they mean for early care and education.  

ELI Team members have been interviewed about these reforms. Read more in the articles below.    

Early Years Initiative

The Early Years Initiative — a $50 Million grant opportunity generously supported by Lilly Endowment, Inc. — request for proposals closes June 15. Early Learning Indiana invites community and child-focused organizations across Indiana to submit proposals for new, enhanced or expanded programs or projects that influence healthy brain development and the development of physical, social-emotional and cognitive skills in infants and toddlers (children from birth through age three). We hosted three webinars to help organizations understand the submission process, eligibility requirements and our data dashboard.  

If you missed the webinars, don't worry - we've made the recordings and additional resources available on our webpage. If you have any questions regarding Early Years Initiative, please contact us here. 

Presenting Day Early Learning at Theodora House

Maureen Weber, president and CEO of Early Learning Indiana, joined John von Arx, president and CEO of Volunteers of America, Lisa Armstrong, VOA Fresh Start Program graduate and DEL mom, along with current Fresh Start Program participants and their little ones, for a special ribbon-cutting ceremony at our new Day Early Learning at Theodora House. This first-of-its-kind microsite will provide high-quality early care and education for the children of mothers in the Fresh Start Recovery Program, keeping families together during treatment. Learn more here.

Lilly Family Center's Outdoor Makeover

A group of dedicated volunteers from the Rotary Club of Indianapolis' Environment and Beautification Committee came together for a service project day to enhance the natural playground environment of our Day Early Learning Lilly Family Center. Joining them were volunteers from Early Learning Indiana's statewide team, Day Nursery Auxiliary and students from the University of Indianapolis. Team members, friends and families from the center also pitched in. Projects included mulching, weeding, planting, installing a new border around a play space and creating a new music wall. 

We're Hiring!

Watch Kayliegh, an infant teacher at Day Early Learning State Government Center, share what makes the DEL difference for her. Day Early Learning is currently hiring qualified team members looking to make an impact on the lives of our youngest Hoosiers. Click here to see employment opportunities.

Empowering Early Learning

Early Learning Indiana actively seeks collaborative efforts and knowledge-sharing opportunities to ensure access to high-quality early care and education for children and families. Here's a glimpse of our recent engagements: 

• Indiana Association for the Education of Young Children Conference: Adrienne Bennett, VP of Early Learning Practice, and Michael Robinson, Teacher at DEL at State Government Center, discussed successful transitions in preschool classrooms. Kailyn Boehle, Teacher at DEL at Patty Jischke, and Kat Christian, Teacher at DEL at State Government Center, shared insights on implementing lesson plans into daily routines. 
• Child Care Aware® of America's 2023 Symposium - "Stand Up. Stand Together. Stand for Child Care": Mandy Zimmerman, alongside Megan Day from Child Care Answers and Beth Steward from Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning, presented on the creation of the Family Resource Navigator and the utilization of findhelp to support families, emphasizing a 2-gen approach. 

Mark your calendars! Our fifth-annual Day of Impact is on Friday, Sept. 22, 2023. Early Learning Indiana’s annual Day of Impact provides an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of more than 1,000 children who attend our Day Early Learning centers. Each day, we strive for our centers to serve as welcoming, high-quality environments where children and families thrive. Day of Impact is about making it possible. Whether you are a parent or family member of a Day Early Learning child, a business leader, community member or other good friend of Early Learning Indiana, Day of Impact is about coming together for one special day to support early learners and make important enhancements possible in our early learning environments. We hope you can join us.