Committee advances bill to double state school‑age childcare grant to $4 million

Representative Dale Devon introduced House Bill 15‑25, telling the committee the bill would raise the appropriation for Indiana’s School Age Childcare (SAC) grant from about $2,000,000 to $4,000,000. “We're gonna move it to $4,000,000,” he said, and urged the panel to advance the measure to Ways and Means for fiscal review.

The bill’s supporters told the committee the additional money would expand capacity and quality in before‑ and after‑school programs and reduce burdens on working families. Brent Wake, senior vice president of engagement for the Indiana After School Network, said the network supports House Bill 15‑25 and described the SAC grant as “Indiana's only truly state support” for school‑age childcare. He said SAC funds help programs hire staff, purchase supplies and support transportation to program sites.

Tara Britton, chief executive officer of the Southeastern Indiana YMCA, said her organization uses SAC funds to expand classrooms and to contract behavioral and mental‑health consultants. “This funding supports programs that provide care for before and after school for children ages 5 to 12,” Britton said, and added the grant allowed her YMCA to provide a warm meal, crisis intervention and enrichment activities for children who otherwise would not have access.

Ashley Allen, CEO of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Huntington County, told the committee that SAC funding previously allowed the organization to expand a before‑school program and keep fees affordable. Ryan Myers, public policy manager at United Way of Central Indiana, said the bill’s provision allowing the Family and Social Services Administration to waive grant match requirements for small organizations (budgets under $100,000) would broaden the pool of potential providers.

Joy Malay, founder and executive director of Thrive After School in Posey County, described her community as “a childcare desert” and said Thrive serves more than 80 students with no fees, providing tutoring, a full‑time literacy coordinator and a social worker. Malay said the ability to use SAC funds for transportation is critical in rural areas with limited bus service and few sidewalks.

Committee members asked several providers where their programs operate and what ages they serve. Representative Carolyn Jackson asked whether the Indiana After School Network has providers in northwest Indiana; Brent Wake cited City Life in Gary as an example. Tara Britton said her YMCA serves children from infancy through sixth grade and runs two after‑school classrooms serving 83 children.

After testimony and brief committee discussion, Representative Devon moved the bill. The committee called the roll and recorded an 11–0 vote in favor. The bill will be forwarded to Ways and Means for fiscal consideration.

Votes and formal action: The committee recorded a motion to pass House Bill 15‑25; the motion was seconded. Roll call recorded yes votes by Representatives DeBond, Lauer, Sweet, Goss Reeves, Jordan, Ledbetter, Volthoff, Patterson, Summers, Burton and Jackson. The final tally was 11 in favor, 0 opposed.

Why it matters: Proponents said expanding the SAC appropriation would increase capacity and quality in out‑of‑school‑time programming, help families avoid missed work, and support vulnerable youth referred by child protective services or whose parents face workforce challenges. The bill’s fiscal effects will be evaluated by Ways and Means.

A next step for HB 15‑25 is consideration by the House Ways and Means Committee on the bill’s fiscal implications; no date was set in the committee record.