Sullivan’s Bill Providing More Early Education opportunities to At-Risk Hoosiers Signed Into Law

Gov. Eric Holcomb today ceremonially signed into law State Rep. Holli Sullivan’s (R-Evansville) legislation expanding Indiana’s pre-K pilot program.

House Enrolled Act 1004 expands the state’s pilot pre-K program, On My Way Pre-K, from five counties to 20. This measure will double the amount of low-income families who could benefit from the program. On My Way Pre-K was established in 2014 and currently serves nearly 2,300 students in Allen, Lake, Marion, Jackson and Vanderburgh counties.

“As a parent, I understand the need to equip our children with a solid educational foundation,” Sullivan said. “Providing more high-quality early education will give these very young at-risk students a strong framework to build on.”

Sullivan, co-author of the bill, was unable to attend the ceremony because she is representing Indiana at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual Early Learning Fellows program in Omaha, Nebraska. She was recently recognized by the Indiana Chamber of Commerce as a Legislative Champion for her work on the new law.

Holcomb recently announced the 15 additional counties eligible to participate in On My Way Pre-K. Bartholomew, DeKalb, Delaware, Elkhart, Floyd, Grant, Harrison, Howard, Kosciusko, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, St. Joseph, Tippecanoe and Vigo counties can begin enrolling children in the program for the 2018-2019 school year.

On My Way Pre-K’s eligibility requirements and income threshold will remain the same at 127 percent of the federal poverty level. However, for the five original counties, if programs are at capacity, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration can raise the income eligibility to 185 percent of the federal poverty level to reach more low-income families in these higher cost-of-living communities. Even with these revised eligibility requirements, Sullivan said top priority will still be given to children who are most in need.

To find out more about Indiana’s early education programs and to learn about eligibility requirements, visit www.in.gov/fssa and click on Early Learning/Child Care.