March 4th, 2025 by WCBC Radio

Pennsylvania’s proposed FY26 budget includes a significant boost for child care with funding aimed at addressing staffing shortages. The total budget is $55 million, including funds for recruiting more childcare workers.  Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children CEO Kari King says low wages fuel worker shortages, and hopes the proposed funding package will strengthen programs statewide…

   

"It's actually a new appropriation that's being referred to as the 'child care workforce recruitment and retention fund.' The estimate is that about that $55 million would provide just about $1,000 to child care workers that would qualify."