Today’s announcement from the Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning (OECOSL) marks a pivotal moment for Indiana’s early childhood landscape. The newly issued CCDF voucher rate reductions, ranging from 10% to 35% across age groups, will have immediate and lasting consequences for providers, educators, and the families we serve.
While we recognize the fiscal challenges outlined in the press release, we must not accept a false choice between protecting providers and protecting children. Children thrive when providers are stable, supported, and adequately funded.
What This Means:
- Infant and toddler care will see a 10% rate reduction.
- Preschool reimbursement drops by 15%.
- School-age care faces a staggering 35% cut.
Our Call to Action:
INAEYC urges all members to escalate advocacy immediately. We must ensure that policymakers understand the real-world impact of these cuts:
- Contact your legislators and share how these reductions will affect your center, staff, and families. IGA | Find Your Legislator
- Amplify provider voices through op-eds, social media, and community forums. Build Your Advocacy Skills | NAEYC
- Join our upcoming advocacy activities to coordinate strategy and messaging: Public Policy – Indiana AEYC scroll to INAEYC Latest Public Policy News & Events.
What We’re Doing:
- INAEYC is focusing on its listening sessions hosted by regional chapters to listen to YOU! We are inviting legislators and policy makers on the local level to come and listen to YOU!
- We will hold Public Policy Committee meetings to consult with you and guide you while you plan your advocacy! Register today!
- We will be working with coalition partners to push for supplemental funding and policy safeguards in the next legislative session.
- This is not the time to retreat, it is the time to rise. Together, we can advocate for a system that values both children and the professionals who care for them.
Thank you, and please let us know how we can support!
Sincerely,
Dr. Hanan Osman
SAMPLE LETTERS TO LEGISLATORS
Educators Letter to Legislators – CCDF Reduction – Word / PDF
