INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana’s childcare centers that once filled every classroom now face widespread vacancies as state support for low income families has sharply declined.
Many that rely heavily on state vouchers to help working parents cover tuition have since had assistance reduced, leaving many families unable to enroll and pushing providers into financial distress.
Indiana halted new child care vouchers, reduced preschool program seats and cut reimbursement rates over the past year after temporary federal funding expired. Advocates estimate providers are losing millions of dollars each week statewide. Several programs have already downsized or closed, and centers in communities with lower incomes have reported the steepest drops in enrollment…