News release from the United Way of Allen County:
United Way to Award $40,000 in Paths to QUALITY Grants
(August 21, 2015) – United Way of Allen County is pleased to announce the application for the 2015 Paths to QUALITY grants for childcare providers are now open. This is the second year for the grants, which were established to help move providers up to the next level in the Paths to QUALITY program, Indiana’s child care quality rating and improvement system. Last year, four $1,000 grants were awarded. This year, Women United and On My Way Pre-K are each providing $20,000 for a total opportunity of $40,000.
The grants are non-renewable and will be awarded in amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. Grants can be used for educational materials, certifications or continuing education for teachers or for technology. Applications can be found on United Way’s website and are due by October 2, 2015. The applications will then be reviewed by Early Childhood Alliance and Women United volunteers for compliance with the Paths to QUALITY program and the recipient(s) will be selected by the middle of October.
The grants have the potential to add to the number of providers in Allen County who are able to participate in the Allen County On My Way Pre-K Pilot Program. The pilot program began last January with 50 students and recently started an August session with around 220 students. To qualify for the program, families must fall at or below 127 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and childcare providers must be at a level 3 or level 4 on the Paths to QUALITY system.
“This is a natural fit for United Way, focusing on community wide solutions,” said United Way of Allen County President and CEO, David Nicole. “By working with childcare providers in our community to increase the quality of the programs being provided for our children, we are able to improve kindergarten readiness and prepare students to become better citizens and employees for when they eventually join the workforce.”
To learn more about United Way or to apply for the grant, please contact Mary Huth at Mary.Huth@uwacin.org or visit www.unitedwayallencounty.org.
About United Way
Established in 1922, United Way of Allen County is a not-for-profit organization that unites our community’s time, talent and treasure to cultivate and advance community solutions that address the most critical issues around basic needs, education, financial stability and healthy lives. For more information, please visit www.unitedwayallencounty.org.
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