childcare

The Tri-Share Plus initiative aims to help employers in 11 counties retain employees and relieve financial stress for families.

A proposal to give eligible families a $500 tax credit for newborns failed to pass this legislative session. Advocates continue to push for the tax credit they said would improve Hoosiers’ financial stability and health.

A Senate committee unanimously advanced a bill Monday that aims to increase access to child care.

There are currently 780 licensed child care centers in Indiana and more than 2,000 licensed home care providers.

FSSA said the waitlist is in response to a growth in both programs — citing an increase of more than 30,000 children who have participated over the last two years.

Braun's agenda aligns closely with his campaign promises, providing specifics about expected changes in education, such as boosting starting teacher pay and limiting discussions about gender identity in schools.

Legislative leaders say they’ll continue to push for greater access to child care during the upcoming legislative session.

In a recent survey of Hoosier parents, 57 percent said they’ve recently missed work or school due to child care-related issues.

In 2022, the median hourly wage for a woman in Indiana was $21.53. But after factoring in taxes and typical child care costs, an average worker at that rate could earn less than $4.

HB 1102 increases the number of children allowed in child care homes from five to seven — which doesn’t include any children in the home who are relatives of the owner. It also allows those homes to care for kids longer, from four to six hours a day.