January 15, 2026 Start Strong PA Provides Update on Impact to Federal, State Child Care Funding Start Strong PA shared information this week regarding what is known about the current status of federal and state child care funding after the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced it would freeze funding in five states. Learn More The federal government announced in early January that it would freeze $10 billion in federal funds to California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York. This was triggered by allegations of fraud at child care centers in Minnesota and was initially stated it would be applied nationwide. However, a judge temporarily blocked the freeze on January 9 on the grounds that the states met a threshold “to protect the status quo” for at least 14 days while arguments were made in court. Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA condemned this freeze on federal funds in a recent statement, saying, “The recent decision to freeze access to Child Care and Development Fund, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Social Services Block Grant funds for California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota and New York is a disproportionate and harmful reaction to alleged fraud confined to specific providers in Minnesota. Let us be clear: fraud within public systems is unacceptable and must be addressed with precision. However, we must also be clear that states have regular audits of these funds, many systems like Pennsylvania’s have robust program integrity measures, and federal oversight mechanisms are already in place to ensure accountability.” To date, states have submitted quarterly financial reports to justify funds that are drawn monthly from their CCDF allocation. New rules would prevent states from accessing federal funds automatically. Every payment request would now require pre-approval with “justification and a receipt or photo evidence.” The immediate impact could be on state agencies, such as Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), that are responsible for providing the documentation. Documentation or Payment Delivery OCDEL has announced that there is no change in required documentation or in payment delivery for child care providers with Child Care Works contracts receiving reimbursement for subsidized child care. Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC) and child care providers should continue administering Child Care Works in accordance with existing OCDEL policy and procedures. Also, for parents, OCDEL has announced that there is no change in the type or frequency of required documentation. “While fraud is absolutely unacceptable and must be addressed, this response is unjust and disproportionate,” a statement from Start Strong PA read. “It punishes providers, families, and children for the alleged actions of a few. Many states like Pennsylvania already have extensive program integrity measures and all states undergo regular federal reviews designed to prevent and catch fraud.” Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program The Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program enacted in the 2025-26 state budget is not affected by the federal funding change and will continue accepting applications from eligible providers from qualified staff. Providers must submit a completed application to their region ELRC by Thursday, January 29. Impact on Pennsylvania Start Strong PA said that the new federal rules would negatively affect the 93,300 children receiving Child Care Works if Pennsylvania’s federal child care funding is impacted in the future. “Delaying or freezing payments would not only hurt the families receiving those subsidies, but could force child care programs to close and teachers to lose their jobs,” the Start Strong PA statement read. “These consequences are detrimental to families’ stability and children’s learning. This reaction is outside the norm – the federal government has already targeted legal and financial tools to recoup fraudulent funds without harming innocent families and small businesses.”
October 17, 2025 Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA Surveys Find Devastating Impacts from Budget Impasse Recent surveys conducted by the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns and the Pennsylvania Office of Childhood Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of early childhood providers found widespread, devastating impacts resulting from the state’s budget impasse. Learn More The surveys found that 95 Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program providers in 32 counties have collectively taken on nearly $20 million in loans to continue serving working families while state funding has been frozen. Many of the loans were business lines of credit taken out at an average interest rate of 7.5%, while others have been personal loans with higher interest rates. Many providers indicated that loans will only sustain operations for a short period of time and the accumulated interest liability may have severe consequences for future operations. “This survey represents just a small portion of early learning providers, but it is clear that the continued state budget impasse is further destabilizing a sector that was already in the midst of a crisis with financial and staffing challenges,” said Kara McFalls, executive director of the Pennsylvania Head Start Association. “Early learning providers cannot withstand additional insecurity.” While numerous providers have taken on debt to keep classrooms open, others have been forced to take more dramatic measures, such as layoffs and closing classrooms completely. Through outreach across 21 grantees operating Pre-K Counts or Head Start programs in 16 state counties, OCDEL documented closures, planned closures, or delayed openings of classrooms that affect more than 4,000 slots in Pennsylvania. As a result, working families across the state are struggling to arrange and pay for alternate care for their children during working hours. Both Pre-K Counts and Head Start are free programs for qualifying families. “Shutting our youngest learners out of classrooms will certainly have negative impacts on school readiness for this cohort of three- and four-year-olds in years to come,” said Robert S. Carl, Jr., president of the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce. “It’s time to compromise and pass a budget that invests in the early learning workforce.” Previous surveys have documented thousands of unfilled early learning teaching positions due to low pay. Providers fear that closures and layoffs resulting from the state budget impasse will exacerbate these staffing challenges and further destabilize programs. Polling from March 2025 shows that Pennsylvania voters overwhelmingly support increased state funding for early learning programs – including 83% support to allocate state funding to increase child care worker wages, 73% support to increase funding to serve more eligible children in pre-k programs, 73% support to increase funding to help more low-income families afford high-quality child care, and 72% to allocate funding to increase compensation for pre-k teachers. Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA urge state lawmakers to pass a final budget that includes: A $55 million investment in a new and recurring Child Care Recruitment and Retention line item to grant licensed child care providers participating in the child care subsidy program with $1,000 per educator $17 million in additional funding for Pre-K Counts $9.5 million for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program A $16.2 million increase for infant/toddler Early Intervention and a $38.1 million increase for preschool Early Intervention
May 15, 2025 Early Childhood Educators Share the Day-to-Day Realities of Working in Child Care Programs Pennsylvania early childhood educators joined Trying Together and partner organizations on May 13 in Harrisburg to advocate for investments in workforce recruitment and retention and share at a press conference a recently released photovoice story map that highlights the joys and challenges of working in the early childhood field. A Day in the Life The photovoice story map, titled “A Day in the Life,” shares a glimpse into the day-to-day reality of working in child care programs. During the event, participants used these stories to call attention to widespread challenges in the field and urged further investments in the state’s early childhood education system. Brie Rice and Aydan Roney met with state Rep. Eric Nelson. Brie Rice, of JB’s Bright Beginnings in North Huntingdon, discussed the often-overlooked dedication of early childhood educators who spend significant time outside of work hours and their own money to keep young learners engaged. “Let us draw you a picture of what happens in early education – gifted early childhood educators are making the heartbreaking decision to leave their passion behind in the classroom for higher-paying jobs in other sectors,” she said. “To raise wages, we would need to increase tuition. Parents can’t afford to pay more, and teachers can’t afford to make less. Without public investment in the workforce, the broken child care system is going to collapse.” State Sen. Lindsey Williams (D-38th District) said that the state should support educators by investing more in the early childhood education system. “Early childhood educators are the cornerstone of a family and child’s quality experience in a child care program, offering safe, nurturing, and responsive environments where children grow, learn, and thrive,” Williams said. “However, talented early educators are leaving the field due to abysmal pay and families’ access to quality child care is directly impacted. By investing funding proposed by Gov. (Josh) Shapiro’s 2025-26 budget in recruitment and retention bonuses for licensed child care providers, child care programs will be able to provide competitive wages to caregivers.” According to a March 2024 report from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), the average child care teacher in Pennsylvania earns $15.15 per hour, less than $32,000 annually. Shapiro has proposed a $55 million investment in child care recruitment and retention. Data from a September 2024 Start Strong PA survey of 1,140 child care providers showed more than 3,000 open positions. If those positions were filled, an estimated 25,320 more children could be served. In partnership with the Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns, Trying Together was joined by fellow campaign partners First Up, PennAEYC, Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA), and Fight Crime: Invest in Kids/Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children. Alongside early childhood educators from across the state, they met with more than 30 state legislators to advocate for increased investments in early care and education. During their visits in Harrisburg, they urged the General Assembly to: Support the proposed investment of $55 million in a new and recurring Child Care Recruitment and Retention line item to grant licensed child care providers participating in the child care subsidy program an additional $1,000 per educator To more fully address the child care staffing crisis and its impact on working families, businesses, and the economy, consider an investment above the proposed $55 million “Classrooms are empty, centers are closing, teachers are fleeing, families are being stranded without care, and children are being left without educational resources,” said Hayley Butler, an educator at Crafton Children’s Center in Allegheny County. “Recruitment and retention desperately need to be taken seriously because when a teacher leaves, a domino effect occurs. A teacher leaving can result in a family losing access to quality care options. While we know that there are many industries in need of support, our sector is the workforce behind the workforce, and we will not solve the labor issues without investing directly in our early education professionals.” To better understand what is taking place in the early childhood education sector, view Trying Together’s “A Day in the Life” photovoice storytelling project. Ready to take action? Sign the petition urging the Pennsylvania General Assembly to invest, at minimum, the governor’s proposed $55 million in new and recurring state funding to implement a child care teacher recruitment and retention initiative to fix our child care staffing crisis.
April 29, 2025 Working Together Webinar Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA will hold a webinar that will focus on advocating for funding in the 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget. Learn More The webinar, which will be offered in English and Spanish, will include discussions on: Advocating for early learning in the 2025-26 state budget State legislation updates Federal advocacy update and opportunities for child care The webinar will begin at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 8. Those interested should register in advance for the Zoom webinar. Those who register will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Speakers will include Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, and the Provider Advisory Board. Other organizations participating include Trying Together, Pennsylvania Head Start Association, Pennsylvania Child Care Association, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, and Champions for Early Education.
March 3, 2025 Working Together Webinar Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA will host an upcoming webinar on the state budget and advocacy efforts. Learn More The Working Together Webinar will be available in English and Spanish. The topics covered during the webinar include: Early learning in the 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget Follow up and response to state policymakers Federal advocacy update and opportunities for child care The webinar will begin at 9 a.m. on Thursday, March 13. Registration is open for the Zoom webinar. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Speakers will include Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA partners.
February 4, 2025 ELPA Responds to Governor Shapiro’s 2025-26 Pennsylvania Budget Proposal On February 4, 2024, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro released his 2024-25 state budget proposal. The principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, applauded the early education workforce investments included in the Shapiro Administration’s 2025-26 state budget proposal. “Investments that will stabilize and reverse the exodus of early educators will directly benefit tens of thousands of teachers and other professional staff and help provider businesses remain open,” the ELPA partners said in a statement issued Tuesday afternoon. “Additionally, these investments will help reverse the billions of dollars in lost productivity and earnings suffered by working families and employers when families don’t have the care they need. ” ELPA operates four issue-based advocacy campaigns: Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, Childhood Begins at Home, and Thriving PA. Governor Shapiro’s state budget proposal includes: $57.7 million in additional funding for child care ($55 million in the proposed new Child Care Recruitment and Retention line item as well $1.6 million in Child Care Services and $1.1 million in Child Care Assistance line items) $17 million in additional funding for the state’s Pre-K Counts program Level funding for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program Level funding for evidence-based home visiting in the Community-Based Family Center line item and a small reduction in the Nurse-Family Partnership line due to a change in federal matching rates $16.2 million increase for the Early Intervention Part C (infant and toddler) program through DHS $14.6 million increase for the Early Intervention Part B (age three to five) program through PDE Learn More Budget proposal takes direct action to address PA’s child care teacher crisis A $55 million recurring investment estimates an additional $1,000 per educator increase for licensed child care programs participating in the child care subsidy program. Start Strong PA “celebrates the Shapiro Administration’s proposal to directly invest in a child care teacher recruitment and retention program that will help keep teachers in the classroom so that working families have access to the care they need.” With this investment, Pennsylvania is joining 18 other states that are directly investing in teacher recruitment and retention efforts to keep child care classrooms open for the benefit of working parents and the economy at large. Recent estimates show that gaps in Pennsylvania’s child care system cost working families, employers, and taxpayers a staggering $6.65 billion annually — in lost earnings, productivity, and tax revenue. “Start Strong PA looks forward to working with the House and Senate to ensure these urgently needed funds are included in the final budget and to the extent that state budget resources are available, increasing the investment so we can more fully address the child care crisis and its impact on working families and employers.” Shapiro proposal increases Pre-K Counts rates to address continuing teacher shortage; additional action needed for Head Start $15 million in new state funding to help stabilize early learning providers by boosting per child rates to help combat inflationary pressures and staffing shortages caused by low wages. Pre-K for PA “applauds the Shapiro Administration’s continued commitment to address the historic teacher staffing shortage in the Pre-K Counts program.” “Opportunities for teachers to earn more in the K-12 system and other sectors have challenged Pre-K Counts providers to keep classrooms open and operate at full capacity. This investment is a critical next step in preserving state funded pre-k programs for our commonwealth’s youngest learners.” Because the commonwealth’s Head Start Supplemental programs face similar staffing challenges, Pre-K for PA expressed disappointment that the budget proposal did not offer similar support and urges urges lawmakers to include increased funding in the final state budget to stabilize the Head Start workforce. “Mitigating teacher shortages in Pennsylvania’s publicly funded pre-k programs is a necessary first step in ensuring that all children have access to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” their statement read. “Currently, 78,000 three- and four-year-olds in the commonwealth are eligible but do not have access to high-quality pre-k programs.” Budget proposal also gives nod to significant workforce challenges in Early Intervention Inclusion of a proposed $16.2 million increase for Early Intervention Part C (infants and toddlers) in the Department of Human Services budget Increase of $14.6 million for Early Intervention Part B (age three to five) in the Department of Education budget. Thriving PA expressed appreciation for the investment. “Early Intervention is a critical part of the Thriving PA campaign, as all children from birth through age five with developmental delays, regardless of family income level, must be identified, referred to, and provided necessary services to help them and their families reach their fullest potential.” However, they also noted that significantly more dollars are needed to adequately deliver Part C EI to children in Pennsylvania. A total of $10 million of this overall investment aims to address key challenges in the sector including workforce shortages, and they urge policymakers to build on this momentum. Fewer young children, families and pregnant women will be served by home visiting services due to continued flat funding and loss of federal funds The Childhood Begins at Home campaign expressed concern that the proposed 2025-26 budget does not account for the loss of federal funds expiring in June nor the continued rising costs of providing these life-changing services. “Without any assurance that the state will account for rising costs and backfill federal dollars, this ultimately will mean fewer home visiting services for Pennsylvania families impacted by economic and social disparities,” they said. “Home visitors are supportive partners who build a trusting relationship with families and help guide them through the early stages of having and raising a child. The evidence-based models show positive outcomes, from improving health for both children and adults to achieving economic self-sufficiency to reducing child maltreatment. Childhood Begins at Home will continue to work with policymakers in the legislature and the administration to ensure Pennsylvania does not unnecessarily see a reduction in families receiving and benefitting from evidence-based home visiting services.”
January 8, 2025 Map Provides Window Into Day-to-Day Life of Early Childhood Educators Trying Together – in partnership with the Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns – has created an interactive map that highlights the day-to-day realities of child care programs around the state. These first-hand accounts depict the joys and challenges of working in the early care and education field. Learn More Visitors to the site will see the impact of low wages for educators, the closed classrooms and silent playgrounds, teachers struggling to afford basic necessities, and empty administrative offices. But they will also read stories about the joy a child finds on a swing at a program in Coraopolis or how teachers have an impact on the learning and growth of children in their communities. There’s even a story about a preschooler field trip to Burger King. The stories also show how, despite challenges, early childhood educators go above and beyond for their children and families. This includes meeting transportation needs, providing meals, and collaborating with caregivers on securing early intervention services for children. Each photo on the site was taken during an everyday moment in an early care and education program setting. The captions were written by each participant with guidance from their early childhood colleagues. Recruitment and Retention Currently, early childhood educators in child care programs make an average $15.15 per hour, which is less than $32,000 a year and does not meet the cost of living in any Pennsylvania county. Trying Together, Start Strong PA, and Pre-K for PA are all calling for early childhood educators (ECE) to be paid what they deserve. To compete with states that are doing more to keep ECE teachers in the classroom, Pennsylvania must invest $284 million in new and recurring state funding to implement a child care teacher recruitment and retention initiative. To read the stories, view the map on the A Day in the Life website.
December 2, 2024 Allegheny County Council to Vote on Proposed 2025 Budget Last week, the Allegheny County Budget and Finance Committee approved a budget with a 1.35 millage property tax increase rather than the proposed 2.2 mils, which would lead to significant cuts to the County Executive’s proposed budget. This budget will be discussed and voted on by the full council on December 3. What do these cuts mean? Of significant concern is a potential $23.2 million cut to the DHS budget which could greatly impact the children and families we serve and the child care sector. In order to leverage additional state funds and fully invest in critical human services in our region, the County needs to pass the County Executive’s proposed budget with the 2.2 mils property tax increase. These budget cuts could negatively impact children and families and their access to affordable, high-quality child care, as well as countless other important human services programming. What can you do? 1. Contact your council member by phone, email, or both and implore them to support a county budget that fully funds the Department of Human Services and does not leave any leveraged state monies on the table. See contact information below. 2. Request to speak at the December 3 council meeting to voice your support and urge approval of the full budget. Requests to comment must be submitted by 5 p.m. on December 2 by filling out the online form. If you do not wish to speak, you can still show your support by attending the meeting at the Allegheny County Courthouse (436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, PA) on December 3. The meeting will be held on the 4th Floor in the Gold Room at 5 p.m. 3. Share with others how they too can urge their council members to support the full budget proposed by Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato. Find your council district Phone number: 412-350-6490 Allegheny Council District Council Member Email At Large Bethany Hallam Bethany.Hallam@alleghenycounty.us At Large Samuel DeMarco III Samuel.Demarco@alleghenycounty.us District 1 Jack Betkowski Jack.Betkowski@alleghenycounty.us District 2 Suzanne Filiaggi Suzanne.Filiaggi@alleghenycounty.us District 3 Anita Prizio Anita.Prizio@AlleghenyCounty.us District 4 Patrick Catena Patrick.Catena@alleghenycounty.us District 5 Dan Grzybek Daniel.Grzybek@alleghenycounty.us District 6 John F. Palmiere John.Palmiere@alleghenycounty.us District 7 Nicholas Futules Nicholas.Futules@alleghenycounty.us District 8 Michelle Naccarati-Chapkis Michelle.Chapkis@alleghenycounty.us District 9 Robert J. Macey Bob.Macey@alleghenycounty.us District 10 DeWitt Walton DeWitt.Walton@alleghenycounty.us District 11 Paul Klein Paul.Klein@alleghenycounty.us District 12 Robert Palmosina Robert.Palmosina@AlleghenyCounty.us District 13 David Bonaroti David.Bonaroti@alleghenycounty.us Chief of Staff Kenneth Varhola Kenneth.Varhola@alleghenycounty.us Learn More November 12, 2024- The proposed 2025 Allegheny County budget offers an incredible opportunity for our region’s children and families. We urge councilmembers to continue investments in child care and other critical human services that lift up families and enable them to thrive. The progress for young children, families, and our region’s economic growth depends on it. Allegheny County residents value giving children a strong start through accessible and affordable child care. Nearly 19,000 county residents shared their priorities through the All-In Community survey and made it clear that access and affordable child care (40%) and increased pay for child care workers (31%) matters. When the early learning sector struggles, there is a ripple effect. Our working families struggle, our businesses struggle, our local economy struggles. In a September survey from Start Strong PA, child care programs in Allegheny County reported 373 open positions, resulting in 128 closed classrooms. If those programs were fully staffed, 2,977 more children could be served. This is only a snapshot of about 20% of programs that responded across the county. Families in Allegheny County rely on child care and early learning programs. Child care providers are the workforce behind the workforce and necessary infrastructure for economic development and for Allegheny County to realize its full potential. We are grateful for the investments that Allegheny County has made in child care thus far. In January, the Allegheny County Executive directed an additional $500,000 to expand the Allegheny County Child Care Matters pilot program, which enabled additional families on a waiting list to receive subsidized child care. The Allegheny County Child Care Matters pilot program currently supports around 400 children. There is still more work to be done. The program has the potential to cover up to 15,000 children if fully funded. We support the proposed 2025 budget to invest in the services needed for children, families, and our communities to thrive. The impact of county investments will allow the county to unlock more state and federal funding and enable more children and families to have access to affordable, high-quality child care and other important human services programming. Resources Updates on Education and Workforce priorities for Allegheny County can be found here. You can find your county council district online. For more information, read the 2025 Budget Highlights for Allegheny County as well as the 2025 County Budget Toolkit.
November 25, 2024 Start Strong PA Urges Advocates to Add Their Name to Child Care Staffing Crisis Petition Start Strong PA is calling on Pennsylvania residents to add their names to a petition that calls on the state to take action regarding its ongoing child care staffing crisis. Currently, a total of 3,100 people have signed the petition. Start Strong PA is aiming to get 3,500 signatures before the petition closes on Friday, Nov. 29. Learn More As Gov. Josh Shapiro and state legislators begin to consider funding for the 2025-26 state budget, Start Strong PA is urging the governor’s administration to invest $284 million in new and recurring state funding for early child care. The organization is calling for funding to implement a child care teacher recruitment and retention initiative to fix the state’s child care staffing crisis. Pennsylvania currently has tens of thousands of parents struggling to find the care they need to work and support their families. As more child care classrooms close due to a lack of staffing, the number of families without reliable child care will increase. Start Strong PA argues that the crisis can be fixed by addressing the industry’s unlivable wages. Child care staff are so low that they do not meet the cost of living in any Pennsylvania county. Advocates are asked to add their names to a petition by filling out an online form. Start Strong PA is an advocacy campaign that is part of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five.
November 13, 2024 Working Together Webinar Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA are hosting a webinar that will focus on early learning priorities for the 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget. Learn More The Working Together Webinar will focus a variety of topics, including: Early learning priorities for the 2025-26 state budget Election results Advocacy update and opportunities for child care Speakers will include Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA partners, including Trying Together, Champions for Early Education, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, Pennsylvania Child Care Association, and Pennsylvania Head Start Association. Attendees will learn how to work together to strengthen Pennsylvania’s early learning system for teachers and programs and grow access to more eligible families. More Details The webinar will begin at noon on Thursday, Nov. 21. Those interested in attending should register in advance. After registering, a confirmation email will be sent containing information about joining the webinar.
