HARRISBURG, PA (July 12, 2026) – Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates, expressed appreciation for some small steps forward in addressing early education workforce shortages in the 2026–27 state budget. They also emphasized that the commonwealth must do far more to support programs such as infant and toddler Early Intervention to ensure that every Pennsylvania child from birth to age five has access to affordable, high-quality early care and education by 2030.
ELPA operates issue-based advocacy campaigns, including: Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, Childhood Begins at Home, and Thriving PA. The partners of ELPA issued the following statements regarding the 2026-27 state budget:
Budget Takes a Step Forward in Addressing the Child Care Staffing Crisis
“Start Strong PA appreciates the incremental progress this budget makes to support the child care workforce by building on the $25 million recurring Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program funding with an additional $5 million investment. These funds will support programs in recruiting high-quality applicants and retaining experienced educators.
“Child care is an economic development strategy, workforce participation strategy, and education success strategy. These investments will encourage teachers to remain in the field, allowing more parents to work, prepare more Pennsylvania children for school and build a stronger and more prosperous commonwealth.
“While this increase is a step in the right direction, there is much more we can do to help families find and afford child care. Pennsylvania must continue to build a robust early learning sector while working to improve system quality and stability.”
Budget Gives a Slight Boost to Pre-K Counts and Head Start
“Pre-K for PA appreciates the recognition by the Shapiro Administration and General Assembly of the critical role high-quality pre-k plays in supporting children, families and communities across the Commonwealth. The 2026-27 final state budget provides $3.75 million in new state funding for Pre-K Counts and $1.043 million for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program to help stabilize early learning providers by increasing per-child rates – an important investment to help stabilize programs facing rising costs and persistent staffing shortages due to low wages.
“While these funding increases are a meaningful step forward, they fall short of the level needed to fully address the challenges facing Pennsylvania’s early learning system. To meet the growing needs of children and families, policymakers should invest additional funding to strengthen and expand these programs.
“We remain committed to working with policymakers to build on this progress through sustained investments that strengthen the early childhood workforce, address the ongoing teacher recruitment and retention crisis and ensure high-quality early learning programs remain strong, stable and accessible to families across the Commonwealth.”
Early Intervention Funding Cut Creates Uncertainty for Families and Providers
“We are concerned that the final budget includes a $5.2 million cut to infant and toddler Early Intervention in the Department of Human Services budget. Although policymakers have indicated they intend to use remaining funds from the current fiscal year to prevent service reductions, the 2.6% decrease creates confusion and uncertainty for families and providers alike.
“Early Intervention is a critical, federally required component of the early care and education continuum. Children from birth through age five with developmental delays, regardless of family income, must be identified, referred to and provided the services they need to help them and their families reach their fullest potential.
“Our concern is further underscored by OCDEL’s Early Intervention Rate Methodology Study, which found that infant and toddler rates were underfunded by more than $71 million –- nearly 40% – in FY 2022-23. That deficit has continued to grow in the years since – now upwards of $116 million. Without addressing the workforce shortages caused by this ongoing rate deficit, providers will remain severely constrained, making it harder for families to access services their children are entitled to under federal law.
“Early Intervention programs continue to see significant annual increases in the number of children needing these critical services. Moving forward, we will focus our efforts on ensuring families can continue to access the supports their children need.”
2026-27 PA State Budget Includes:
- $5 million in additional funding for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program.
- $3.75 million in additional funding for the Pre-K Counts program.
- $1.043 million in additional funding for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.
- $1.129 million for the Child Care Assistance line item.
- Level funding for the Child Care Services line item.
- A $5.2 million reduction in funding for the infant and toddler Early Intervention program in the Department of Human Services budget. The Department is using prior-year funds to keep the program whole and maintain the rate increase provided in fiscal year 2025-26.
- $41.221 million in additional funding for preschool Early Intervention in the Department of Education budget.
- Level funding for evidence-based home visiting in the Community-Based Family Center line item, with a small reduction in the Nurse-Family Partnership line item due to a change in federal matching rates.
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Urge increased state investments for Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program
May 28, 2026 – Standing at their City Center site with two closed classrooms behind them, Early Connections CEO Stacey Hellmann joined state and local leaders today to spotlight an unrelenting child care staffing crisis that is leaving hundreds of Erie County children without care and parents sidelined from the workforce.
“Let me show you what this crisis looks like on the ground, starting right here at our City Center site. Across our four locations, we currently have eight staff vacancies. Here at City Center alone, two classrooms are closed,” shared Hellman. “Recently, we made the heartbreaking decision to close an entire site at John E. Horan Garden Apartments. If every one of our centers were fully staffed today, we could immediately serve an additional 91 children. That is 91 families scrambling for backup care and 91 futures being put on hold.”
An April 2026 survey conducted by the Start Strong PA Campaign of 1,141 child care providers from across Pennsylvania showed that 87% of child care programs reported challenges in recruiting staff and 78% are struggling with teacher shortages. Those shortages are leaving more than 2,600 unfilled positions statewide. Programs could serve an additional 21,917 children if they could recruit and retain the staff they need, and these numbers represent less than 18% of the total open registered programs in Pennsylvania.
Hellman also shared that 38 programs from Erie County responded as part of that 2026 survey. They reported 74 unfilled positions closing 21 classrooms. Another 41 classrooms in these programs are under-enrolled, meaning they are open but cannot take more children due to lack of staff.
“As a chamber, we hear regularly from employers about the difficulty of hiring and retaining workers. Time and time again, one of the most cited pain points impacting working families’ ability to work is the availability of child care,” said Brandon Mendoza, President and CEO of the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. “That is why we have been able to build a coalition of more than 75 local chambers of commerce and economic development organizations advocating for immediate action to stall the exodus of child care teachers.”
As part of the event, Mendoza presented data released by ReadyNation Pennsylvania in a new report noting that these child care issues have a real cost to the economy. The economic analysis shows gaps in Pennsylvania’s child care system now cost the Commonwealth’s economy $6.4 billion annually, including $4.9 billion in costs to working parents and $1.5 billion in costs to Pennsylvania businesses through lost earnings, lost productivity, and extra hiring costs.
“We hear daily from providers and parents across the state. They tell us about classrooms closing because teachers can’t afford to stay. They tell us about parents who are sidelined from the workforce because care is too expensive or simply unavailable,” Kimberly Early, Senior Director of Public Policy and Advocacy at PennAEYC said. “Affordability matters, but without educators, there’s no care to afford.”
As part of the event, Early shared new March 2026 Pennsylvania voter polling numbers:
- 78% support increasing state funding for child care staff salaries
- 81% support increasing state funding for pre-k teachers’ salaries
- 82% support increasing state funding for Head Start
“More than half of Pennsylvania residents live in child care deserts, and less than half of Pennsylvania’s child care is considered high quality,” stated Representative Pat Harkins (D-1). “I was happy to support the creation of the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program last year but we still have a lot of work to do for early learning programs and a mandate from the voters to do it.”
The Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program launched in January 2026 with an appropriation of $25 million in the 2025-26 Pennsylvania budget. Program launch highlights include:
- 4,358 child care providers applied in the first year of the program (75% of eligible providers in PA).
- 33,688 child care teachers will receive $645 retention bonuses.
- 4,972 newly hired child care teachers will receive $645 recruitment bonuses.
“Before I was a legislator, I was a teacher,” shared Representative Bob Merski (D-2). “For 16 years, I stood in front of young children in Erie’s Catholic schools, in the Corry School District, and most recently in Erie City Schools. I know what it takes to educate a child. And I know what it takes to keep a classroom staffed. Here’s what I learned: You cannot have a strong classroom without strong teachers. And you cannot keep strong teachers without paying them a living wage.”
Participants shared that the current average wage of a child care teacher in Pennsylvania is $15.23 hour. This wage does not meet the cost of living in any county in Pennsylvania. And it is these low wages that continue driving this staffing crisis.
Event speakers urged that, as part of an enacted 2026-27 budget, the General Assembly must include:
- A $10M increase for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program
- A $2M increase for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program
- A $7.5M increase for Pre-K Counts
Others participating in the event included: Mike Plazony, Board Advisor, GBU Life; Commissioner, PA Early Learning Investment Commission; Board President, Early Connections and Jody Irwin, Director of Benefits, Erie Insurance; Commissioner, PA Early Learning Investment Commission.
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(Harrisburg, PA) January 14, 2026 – In response to the federal administration’s decision to freeze Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) payments in five states, the Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns issue the following statement:
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.
This reaction represents a failure of targeted governance. It punishes thousands of responsible providers, jeopardizes the livelihoods of early educators, and destabilizes care for children and families who rely on it. The potential consequences: program closures, workforce dropout, and disruption to children’s routines and their parents’ employment are severe and preventable.
The federal government possesses standard legal and financial controls to investigate fraud and recoup misspent funds without resorting to a freeze that jeopardizes the entire sector of care and education. We call on our federal partners to immediately restore funding flow and employ the precise tools of accountability meant for such situations, rather than imposing collective punishment on states, providers, and working families.
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HARRISBURG, PA (November 12, 2025) – Today, 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 2025-26 state budget’s focus on children and early education workforce investments, vital commitments finalized after prolonged negotiations.
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. 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.
The partners of ELPA issued the following statements regarding the 2025-26 state budget. ELPA operates issue-based advocacy campaigns including: Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, and Thriving PA.
Budget establishes new initiative to address PA’s child care teacher crisis
“Start Strong PA celebrates the Shapiro Administration and General Assembly for the establishment of a new 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.
“The $25 million recurring investment will benefit the teachers and other para-professionals that are directly responsible for the care of children in licensed child care programs throughout the commonwealth participating in the child care subsidy program.
“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.
“A September 2024 survey of 1,140 child care providers, representing 17 percent of providers, from across Pennsylvania, showed that 92% of child care programs reported challenges in recruiting staff with 85% struggling with teacher shortages leaving more than 3,000 unfilled positions statewide, thereby – eliminating child care for more than 25,000 Pennsylvania children.
“With a net loss of 590 licensed child care programs over the past five years, Start Strong PA looks forward to working with Pennsylvania lawmakers to ensure the Commonwealth focuses on building on this investment so we can more fully address the child care staffing crisis and its impact on working families and employers.”
State budget boosts Pre-K Counts rates to tackle ongoing teacher shortage; further support needed for Head Start
“Pre-K for PA commends the Shapiro Administration and General Assembly for taking meaningful action to address the historic teacher staffing shortage in the Pre-K Counts program. The 2025-26 state budget provides $9.5 million in new state funding to help stabilize early learning providers by increasing per child rates– an important measure to counter rising costs and staffing challenges driven by low wages.
“In recent years, opportunities for higher salaries in K–12 education and other sectors have made it increasingly difficult for Pre-K Counts providers to retain qualified teachers, forcing some programs to reduce enrollment or close classrooms. This new investment represents a critical step forward in ensuring that state-funded pre-kindergarten programs remain strong, sustainable, and accessible for Pennsylvania’s youngest learners.
“However, we are disappointed that the final budget fails to offer support for the commonwealth’s Head Start Supplemental programs that are facing similar staffing challenges. While the passage of a state budget will send delayed payments to Pennsylvania’s Head Start programs, we should be investing additional dollars to expand this lifeline for children and families.
“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. Currently, 78,000 three- and four-year-olds in the commonwealth are eligible but do not have access to high-quality pre-k programs.”
Enacted budget also recognizes significant workforce challenges in Early Intervention
“We are also pleased that the final budget includes a total increase of $41.7 million for Early Intervention services. Specifically, $13.2 million of the increase is allocated for the Part C (Infants and Toddlers) program in the Department of Human Services budget, with $10 million of these funds directed to increase provider rates to address key challenges in the sector including workforce shortages. The remainder of the combined increase provides an additional $28.5 million for the Part B (age three to five) program in the Department of Education budget. Early Intervention is a critical component of the early care and education system, 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. These programs show significant increases in the number of children needing these critical services each year.
2025-2026 PA State Budget Includes:
- $25 million in additional funding for child care ($25 million in the new Child Care Recruitment and Retention line with level funding in the Child Care Services and Child Care Assistance line items).
- $9.5 million in additional funding for the state’s Pre-K Counts program.
- Level funding for the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program.
- $13.2 million increase for the Early Intervention Part C (infant and toddler) program through DHS, with $10 million of these funds allocated for a rate increase for providers.
- $28.5 million increase for the Early Intervention Part B (age three to five) program through PDE.
- 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.
Bipartisan Lawmakers Join Providers to Highlight Devastating Impact of State Budget Impasse and Federal Shutdown on Children and Families
HARRISBURG, PA (October 29, 2025) Today, the Pennsylvania Head Start Association, alongside bipartisan legislative leaders and providers from across the state, celebrated the 60th anniversary of the national Head Start program while issuing an urgent warning about the devastating impact of the ongoing state budget impasse and federal government shutdown on early childhood education.
The event featured a proclamation recognizing Head Start Awareness Month and powerful testimonials from providers detailing classroom closures, staff layoffs, and the dire financial maneuvers required to stay afloat.
“The future of Pennsylvania’s child care and pre-k system is on the line,” said Kara McFalls, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Head Start Association. “We have celebrated 60 years of Head Start’s legacy. Now, we must fight for its future. Every day without a budget, we jeopardize our children’s education, working families’ stability, and our overall economic success.”
Legislators from both parties emphasized the program’s proven track record and bipartisan support. “Before I ever ran for office, my career was dedicated to advocating for children and families,” said Representative Justin Fleming (D-105). “Here in Pennsylvania, Head Start serves over 35,000 children, including over 1,000 in foster care and over 2,500 experiencing homelessness. We have the data. We have the bipartisan support. What we need now is the political will to fund it.”
The PA budget impasse has left some communities without access to the comprehensive education and health services that Head Start programs offer the children and families they serve.
Holly Strait, Senior Vice President of PathStone Corporation, reported 12 closed classrooms, 145 children unserved, and 48 staff laid off. “On this 60th anniversary, we should be talking about how to expand this proven program, not how to save it from collapse.”
Pam Johnson, Executive Director of Jefferson-Clarion Head Start described a heavy heart on a day that should be filled with celebration. “As we speak, 323 children in our two counties are without the services they depend on,” said Johnson. “Their classrooms are silent. Their little chairs are empty. We have been forced to lay off over 50 dedicated, passionate staff members—the very people who are the lifeblood of this program.”
The providers underscored that the budget delay forces programs into an impossible choice: take on high-interest debt to pay teachers or close classrooms and lose irreplaceable staff to other industries, further crippling a sector already struggling with poverty-level wages.
“To date, we have stretched every dollar. We have used every resource. We have done this because we believe in the children,” shared Deidra Vachier, CEO of Community Services for Children, revealing her program has spent $2.6 million in reserves and will now need to access a line of credit, costing an additional $10,000 per month in interest. “We will keep doing our part as long as we can, but our state and federal lawmakers must also do theirs. Pass a state budget. End the federal shutdown.”
Participants called for an immediate resolution to the budget impasse and as part of the 2025-26 final state budget, Pennsylvania policymakers should include:
- $17 million in additional funding for Pre-K Counts
- $9.5 million in additional funding for Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program and
- $55 million for child care teacher recruitment and retention funding.
About Pennsylvania Head Start Association:
The Pennsylvania Head Start Association (PA HSA) is a private, not-for-profit membership organization that represents the 61 Head Start grantees in Pennsylvania. For over 20 years, PA HSA has been committed to ensuring that every vulnerable child and family in Pennsylvania has the opportunity to succeed through access to high-quality early childhood education and comprehensive support services.
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