Indiana’s Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) has submitted its 2015 report of findings to Governor Mike Pence and the state’s Legislative Council. As previously discussed (in this blog post), ELAC was created in the 2013 legislative session with a mandate to provide a comprehensive progress report by June 30th of each year.
ELAC’s vision focuses on ensuring that children ages birth to 8 years and their families have access to affordable, high-quality early childhood education programs that keep children healthy, safe and learning.
The report includes a Needs Assessment section where the following key items are noted:
- Indiana has approximately 500,000 children five years old and younger;
- Nearly half (47%) of Hoosier families with children ages 0-5 are in poverty;
- The majority (66%) of Indiana’s families are working and require child care;
- Only 11% of Hoosier children are enrolled in high-quality, program-based care;
- For a family of three living in poverty, having one child in quality care would cost more than a third of their annual income; and
- The 2020 projected demand for early childhood education teachers outpaces the current supply.
The report also includes the following important information: 2014 Accomplishments, Recommendations, and an Appendix. In the Appendix, there are several tables with detailed demographic information at the county level.
Transform Consulting Group was honored to partner with ELAC in helping them gather the information and write the annual report.
