An early learning nonprofit has awarded more than $13.1 million in grant money to child care and early learning providers around Indiana, to help them navigate the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The education reform group The Mind Trust is providing $200,000 to 11 community centers and churches to offer immediate care and oversight of e-learning for an initial 500 school-age children.

Indiana employers are losing $1.8 billion a year due to a lack of stable child care for employees according to the latest report from the state's Early Learning Advisory Committee.

Child care is an essential service for many families, and some providers have been forced to close by the pandemic while others worry about what future demand will look like as businesses begin reopening their doors.

WFYI's Eric Weddle spoke with Early Learning Indiana CEO Maureen Weber about caring for children under the age of 5 during the pandemic.

Indiana officials say they hope to have help soon for Hoosiers in need of child care and "gig economy" workers.

The group will offer up to $1 million of funding for at least 10 recipients, to improve access to high-quality early education services.

In 2017, some 63,000 children were in the care of grandparents; thats 6% of kids statewide. And of those grandparents, 38% were age 60 or older.

The Office of Early Childhood and Out-of-School Learning in the Family and Social Services Administration announced the grants Thursday.

Perry County employers prioritized childcare in 2013 to attract workers. Their efforts are working, but now they face a new set of challenges.