During the combined board meeting on Monday, Warsaw Community Schools (WCS) announced a significant development in support of the Warsaw Area Career Center (WACC) and Warsaw Early Learning Academy (WELA), the on-site child care facility for WCS staff.
Thanks to a grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation (KCCF), WCS will receive $303,000 in grant funding, which will be used over the next three years, according to a news release Thursday from WCS. KCCF, in partnership with LaunchPad, is committed to providing training resources for early learning professionals and building child care programs in Kosciusko County. This specific funding is made possible by Lilly Endowment Inc. to strengthen the learning and development of young children in northeastern Indiana.
The grant is broken into two priority areas: $153,000 is earmarked for the expansion of child care services into the summer months, specifically designed to support WCS staff. This extension of services will last for a minimum of three years.
An additional $150,000 will be put toward Child Development Associate (CDA) training for WACC students. This funding will facilitate the acquisition of CDA certificates through Ivy Tech, providing an invaluable pathway for students interested in pursuing careers in childcare, the release states. Students from Warsaw Community High School (WCHS) and Tippecanoe Valley will primarily benefit from this initiative, with remaining spots available to students from Wawasee and Whitko, ensuring a wide-reaching impact across the county.
Ben Barkey, principal of WACC, said, “This is an excellent opportunity for our students and community. Quality daycare employees are so important, and I am thrilled that our students will have the opportunity to earn college credit and be certified as a CDA. This not only helps to increase the number of credentialed child care employees in our community but also provides a promising career path for our students.”
Dr. David Hoffert, superintendent of WCS, said, “This generous grant from the Kosciusko County Community Foundation is a game-changer for our community. It not only enhances our ability to provide quality child care for our staff during the summer months but also opens up fantastic educational and career opportunities for our students. We are deeply grateful for this partnership and the positive impact it will undoubtedly have on our community.”
The WELA’s expansion and the CDA training program represent significant strides toward improving the quality of child care and education within the Warsaw community, according to the release. By investing in these initiatives, KCCF and WCS are laying the groundwork for a brighter future for both children and aspiring childcare professionals in Kosciusko County.