FSSA announces $25 million grant to address working Hoosiers’ childcare needs
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration’s Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning announced the Employer-Sponsored Childcare Fund, part of Gov. Eric J. Holcomb’s 2023 Next Level Agenda, to mobilize employers and communities to create or expand childcare offerings that address the needs of working Hoosiers.
The $25 million program, a partnership with the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, uses a portion of the state’s remaining federal relief funds from the COVID-19 pandemic and is part of the state’s broader efforts to strengthen the early care and education sector, providing support for today’s workforce and investing in tomorrow’s. The program is also supported by the Indiana Manufacturers Association.
Grant funding can be used to support employees’ child care needs in a variety of ways, including sponsoring dependent care assistance plans, providing on-site or near-site child care or offering child care tuition benefits. Grants of up to $750,000 will be awarded. The full list of allowable uses and details can be found here.
To be eligible, employers must be located in Indiana and either a business or corporation employing 20 or more employees, a group of employers with 20 or more employees or a community-based nonprofit applying on behalf of a group of local employers with a combined total of 20 or more employees. Employers must also be willing to contribute 10% of the total amount requested and be able to implement solutions within the first year of the program.
Applications will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. ET Nov. 22. More information and a link to the application can be found here.
Walk away from Edinburgh Correctional Facility back in custody
An individual who walked away from Edinburgh Correctional Facility has been found in Indianapolis. Marion Jaynes, IDOC #912328 was taken into custody by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department shortly before 3:30pm, after spending nearly 5 hours on the loose.
Jaynes, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for burglary at Edinburgh Correctional Facility, walked away from a work crew before 11am on Monday. He allegedly took off in a 2006 Dodge Dakota. The Edinburgh Correctional Facility is a minimum security facility located on the grounds of Camp Atterbury with work crews that work in multiple areas.
Where he went and what he did during his mini-escape, is still unknown, at this time. The Johnson County prosecutor will decide on any additional charges.
Convicted Drug Dealer Sentenced to 16 ½ Years in Federal Prison for Dealing Fentanyl and Cocaine while on Probation.
Walter Mays, 52, of Indianapolis, Indiana, has been sentenced to 198 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl and admitting to violating his supervised release from a prior federal conviction. According to court documents, on October 26, 2022, IMPD officers stopped Walter Mays for numerous traffic violations on the east side of Indianapolis. Officers searched the vehicle and located 189.2 grams of cocaine in the center console. During a conversation with officers, Mays admitted that he had more drugs at his residence and another 5.5 ounces of cocaine in the back of his truck. Mays also stated that he was on his way to sell the cocaine to a customer for $3,000.
Drug Enforcement Administration Agents searched Mays’ home and found a Bath and Body Works bag containing over 1.1 kilograms of fentanyl and 83.6 grams of crack cocaine. Agents also found a black 9mm handgun and two digital scales. Mays is prohibited under federal law from ever possessing a firearm due to his previous felony conviction for possession of crack cocaine with intent to distribute. Mays was on federal supervised release at the time of this most recent offense.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, as little as two milligrams of fentanyl can be fatal, depending on a person’s body size, tolerance, and past usage. One kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill 500,000 people. 6 out of 10 illegal fentanyl tablets sold on U.S. streets now contain a potentially lethal dose of the drug.
This Week in Hoosier History
1902 – Wilbur Shaw, American auto racer, the second three-time winner of the Indianapolis 500 (Indianapolis 500 1937, 39, 40), born in Shelbyville.
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