News release from the United Way of Allen County:
Applications for On My Way Pre-K open January 13
(January 6, 2016) – Applications for the second full year of On My Way Pre-K, the Indiana state funded pre-kindergarten program, opens January 13. Low-income Allen County families, with a child who will be four-years-old by August 1, are encouraged to apply. In the first 18 months of the program, more than 270 Allen County children have been enrolled in the program.
Families can apply for the program online at www.onmywayprek.org or by calling 2-1-1. Specialists can assist in answering questions and filling out the required application. Brightpoint will meet with families for intake and eligibility checks. Once approved, families will have the option of selecting a level three or four Paths to QUALITYâ„¢ program from 47 pre-approved center, home or ministry-based providers. The Paths to QUALITY system is Indiana’s Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System.
“On My Way Pre-K has been a tremendous success to date and we anticipate this year to be even better,” said David Nicole, President and CEO of United Way of Allen County. “We are thrilled to bring together all sectors of our community, be they government, corporate, foundation or providers to ensure a brighter future for our children and our community.”
Allen County is one of five Indiana Counties that was selected for the pilot program in 2014. In April, 2015 the Indiana General Assembly approved an additional $20 million for On My Way Pre-K, $10 million per year through the end of the 2017/2018 school year, for the five counties.
State funding is secured through a match. For every $1 that Allen County invests, the state matches $9. Several local organizations have already committed funds to the program. To date, BF Goodrich, the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne, English Bonter Mitchell, Lutheran Health Network, PNC Bank, United Way of Allen County and the Waterfield Foundation have pledged matching funds.
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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