The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has awarded Hamilton Southeastern (HSE) Schools a $750,000 grant to establish an employer-sponsored child care program.  HSE’s Chief Financial Officer Katy Dowling told the HSE School Board Wednesday night such a plan would be cost neutral to the district with a return on investment of 13%.

Any child care system would serve not just teachers but all HSE Schools workers, for children ages 6 weeks through pre-school age.  Abby Taylor, President of the local teachers union, spoke in favor of such a program because it would bring child care closer to the work place and eliminate logistical problems of dropping off and picking up children at day care centers throughout the area.

The only cost to the district would be some minor school building alterations, which would be financed through existing bonds.

The grant must be expended by the end of this calendar year.

Next steps include putting together an implementation team and finding a child care coordinator or consultant.  An employee survey will be conducted to gauge demand.  Potential facilities will be evaluated and a operations structure established.

HSE School Board members expressed support for a child care program.