Waterford Upstart is a free virtual program to help low-income kids prepare for kindergarten by providing them with a computer and internet access to receive at-home instruction in reading, science and math.

An online literacy program aims to help children in poverty learn to read as they prepare to enter kindergarten, but the group is struggling to find families because of the pandemic.

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

The Family and Social Services Administration announced the recipients of more than $1.5 million in grant money this week, for expanding the capacity of early learning across the state.

The report assessed different policies in key areas including transportation and education to assess how they support community outcomes.

Those counties are: Bartholomew, Delaware, Elkhart, Howard, Kosciusko, Madison, Marshall, Monroe, St. Joseph, and Tippecanoe counties

A new report from the preschool advocacy organization, Early Learning Indiana, says the rule penalizes children whose parents can't work.

New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated Schools is the first district in the state to pilot UPSTART through a federal grant.

During the 2018-2019 school year, low-income families in the additional 15 counties will be able to apply for their 4-year-old children to attend preschool.

Currently the program serves about 1,500 students in five counties.