Indiana is stepping up for Hoosier families who are struggling to find reliable childcare. Expanding access was a legislative priority this session, and lawmakers passed new initiatives to encourage additional childcare options for working Hoosier families and increase support for low-income households.
According to the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), capacity at regulated childcare facilities has increased over the past year, with capacity currently at 175,073 children as of March 2026. This is an increase of 1,322 since March 2025, when capacity was 173,751 children.
With the passage of House Enrolled Act 1177, which I supported, the state will expand the employer childcare tax credit to encourage companies to offer childcare options to employees. The credit was expanded to include companies with up to 500 employees. Businesses qualify for the credit if they operate an employer-run childcare facility or contract with a licensed provider to offer this service.
The credit can be used to offset costs associated with operating childcare facilities, including staff training and higher wages for workers, and is designed to encourage more employers to play a direct role in expanding childcare options for their employees and improving workforce stability. Access to childcare is critical to companies' ability to attract and retain talent and through this credit, they can be part of the solution.
In addition to HEA 1177, Indiana is also investing an additional $200 million to expand access to child care vouchers for Hoosier families. The State Budget Committee recently approved the proposal to allocate additional funding for the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF), which is a federal program that helps low-income families pay for childcare so parents can work, go to school or attend training.
During the 2026 legislative session, the General Assembly passed Senate Enrolled Act 4, which I supported, allowing the state to augment funds from the Financial Responsibility and Opportunity Growth (FROG) Fund for the CCDF program. This funding will help the state resume enrollment for CCDF vouchers by an estimated 14,000 children.
Click here to learn more about state childcare resources.
As your state representative, I am eager to hear from you on this or other issues. Please reach out to my office with any questions at in.gov/h16 or by calling 317-232-9819.
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State Rep. Kendell Culp (R-Rensselaer) represents House District 16,
which includes portions of Jasper, Pulaski, Starke and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
