Indiana State University has received a substantial grant of $5.8 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. as part of its College and Community Collaboration initiative.
The grant is earmarked for the expansion and renovation of Indiana State’s Early Childhood Education Center and will contribute to strategic planning efforts throughout the Wabash Valley to enhance the quality and capacity of child development and care.
Early Childhood Education Initiative
The university’s Early Childhood Education Center, accredited and currently serving families and children aged six weeks to 5 years old, will benefit from the grant’s support in expanding its capacity and implementing a research-based curriculum.
This move aligns with the university’s commitment to providing high-quality early childhood education.
The Lilly Endowment Grant is a significant milestone for Indiana State University’s efforts to address the childcare needs of the community.
As part of the collaborative initiative Grow Up in West Central Indiana, announced in September 2023 in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, the university is working on a strategic plan project.
This project aims to offer research-based recommendations that address the impact of childcare on the workforce in West Central Indiana.
Deborah Curtis, President of Indiana State University, highlighted the importance of high-quality childcare facilities in driving economic development.
She stated, “When looking to locate in new communities, companies and families alike ask questions about the same things: housing availability, a skilled workforce, schools, and childcare.
Terre Haute and the Wabash Valley have much to offer corporations looking to develop new sites. The data show that high-quality, research-based childcare facilities are integral in driving economic development.”
The Lilly Endowment grant will not only support the university’s ongoing commitment to supporting families with young children but will also accelerate the process of expanding childcare availability in the Wabash Valley.
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Indiana State University Recipients
Indiana State University is one of six Indiana higher education institutions receiving implementation grants through Lilly Endowment’s competitive initiative.
Lilly Endowment anticipates making additional grants through its College and Community Collaboration initiative in 2024.
Jennett M. Hill, President of Lilly Endowment, commended the institutions for their collaborative efforts, stating, “In designing their proposed projects, it was evident that these colleges and universities engaged a wide-ranging group of community stakeholders to imagine and develop creative solutions to pressing campus and community needs.
The institutions submitted proposals that revealed robust collaborative efforts reflective of the institutions’ willingness to learn from not only campus colleagues but also from local residents and businesses to help shape projects with promising potential to enhance the quality of life on their campuses and in their local communities.”
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