Erie News Now: New Poll Suggests Increased Support Among Pa Voters for Child Care Investments
February 21, 2023 by Brendan Scanland
Erie News Now | WICU & WSEE in Erie, PA
HARRISBURG, Pa. (ErieNewsNow) – Today at the state Capitol, a coalition of early education advocates held a press conference to highlight findings from a new poll that shows increased support for investments in early childhood education.
The Early Learning PA Coalition consists of several advocacy organizations with the goal of enhancing and investing in early child care and education. Advocates said today, a recent poll of 800 Pennsylvania voters, indicates an increase in bipartisan support for these investments.
For parents like TaTyana Abreu, childcare and early education are so important for young children, including her daughter.
“Their exposure to early childhood experiences has a lot to do with how they adapt and how they are prepared for future success,” said Abreu. “As a first-time mother back then, that was very reassuring to know that my child was taken care of in a safe environment setting with certified teachers and staff that knew exactly what they were doing,” she added.
Findings from a recent poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling and Research shows 98-percent of Pennsylvania voters agree that early education is important.
“The poll shows strong support across the political spectrum,” said Kristen Rotz, President of the United Way PA.
However, child care and early education professionals face several barriers, like low wages. Rotz says increased wages promote more qualified professionals.
“Pennsylvania childcare businesses are experiencing historic shortages in staffing, so they are unable to maximize their potential for open classrooms and capacity to care for children,” said Rotz. “These poll results demonstrate that Pennsylvanians understand that low wages in childcare are threatening the ability of anyone responsible for raising children to engage productively in the workforce,” she added.
With budget season approaching, advocates and lawmakers are highlighting the need for more funding.
“I think it’s critical that we invest in Pre-K, Head Start, early intervention. When you see the work that these agencies and these groups and these people do across the state, it bears out the investment,” said Rep. Pat Harkins (D-Erie). “It’s something that we really, really need to address more funding towards. More than half of Pennsylvania residents live in child care deserts, and less than half of Pennsylvania’s child care is considered high quality,” Harkins added.
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Penn-Capital Star: Ahead of Pa. Gov. Shapiro’s first budget, advocates stress support, funding for early childhood programs
February 21, 2023 by John Micek
With Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget address now just two weeks away, advocates and lawmakers pressed the case Tuesday for increased state support for early childhood programs, buttressing their arguments with new polling data showing widespread public support for such efforts.
Nearly eight in 10 respondents to the poll commissioned by a coalition of advocacy groups said they supported additional state funding for pre-kindergarten programs and child care programs. Nearly two-thirds (62%) said they favored additional state support for home visitation programs.
Overall, 98% of respondents said they believe early childhood education programs are important. That support cut across geography and party affiliation, advocates were quick to point out during a news conference in the Capitol rotunda.
“All parents are challenged to meet the needs of their children’s earliest years against the demands of the workforce,” Steve Doster, the Pennsylvania director of the advocacy group Mission Readiness, said. “For more than a decade, Republicans and Democrats have prioritized funding for early childhood [programs].”
The poll, conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research in Harrisburg, included the opinions of 800 registered voters. It was conducted from Feb. 1 through Feb. 7, with a margin of error of 3.4%.
The 2022-23 state budget approved by lawmakers, and signed into law by former Gov. Tom Wolf, includes $60 million in new state support for the state’s Pre-K Counts program, and $19 million for the state’s Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program, according to data compiled by the advocacy group Pennsylvania Partnerships for Children.
On Tuesday, advocates also stressed the need for competitive wages for childcare workers, who make an average of about $11.26 an hour, up to a maximum of $16.26 an hour. Data show high turnover among those workers, making it harder for parents to count on consistent care.
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York County teachers celebrate new Pre-K classroom
By James Wesser December 9, 2022
Friday’s hometown heroes are the teachers at Crispus Attaucks Early Learning Center.
State officials joined the staff to celebrate a new pre-k classroom. This was made possible by an extra $79 million in this year’s budget. The new space makes early education accessible to more families.
“That leads to kids experiencing a nurturing and caring and constructive atmosphere that really helps them develop and get a strong foundational start for their academic careers.” State Director Fight Crime: Invest in Kids Bruce Clash said.
In Pennsylvania, nearly 70% of eligible kids do not have pre-k. In York County, that number jumps to 80%.
Watch the video here.
PennLive: Capitol Christmas Tree ceremony returns: Watch the lighting of the 20-foot tree
December 6, 2022
After a short hiatus, the Pa. Capitol Christmas tree lighting returned for a special holiday ceremony inside the Rotunda on Monday.
The Rotunda tree stands at 20-feet tall, decorated with over 900 LED lights and more than 400 different ornaments created by senior center members throughout the commonwealth.
Several other decorations added to the tree have been contributed by the Pre-K and head-start students through Pre-K for PA.
Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf were among the guests present, with a performance from the Central Dauphin High School Chorus singing Christmas carols.
According to Governor Wolf, this time of year is a magical time for young children and stresses the importance of uniting all throughout central Pa.
“I’m always struck during the holiday season by the compassion and strength of Pennsylvanians,” he said. “I grew up here. I am a strong Pennsylvanian and one of the things that I love about this commonwealth is we know compassion. We know how to live together.
He adds that this time of year is a time to reach out to one another and support those around us.
“We’re going to light this magnificent tree,” he said. “That’s going to serve us a reminder that even when times are dark, even when we feel alone, even when things are hard, times are tough, hope, community and friendship survive.”
Watch the tree lighting video here.
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Tribune-Review: Gov. Wolf welcomes the holidays to the Capitol
December 5, 2022
Governor Tom Wolf and First Lady Frances Wolf ushered in the 2022 holiday season at the Capitol in Harrisburg with the 2022 Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“Each year, this ceremony reminds me of the common bonds we share across humanity,” said Gov. Wolf. “During this holiday season, let us celebrate and strengthen those bonds by reaching out to those in need, by sharing what we have with others, and by extending our kindness beyond our friends and families to strangers and acquaintances who we know to be different than us. Pennsylvanians will celebrate many holidays over the next several months. No matter which holiday you celebrate, I wish every Pennsylvanian a very happy holiday season.”
The tree is a 20-foot Douglas Fir from Crystal Spring Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County. It is decorated with more than 900 LED lights and more than 700 handmade ornaments donated by students and seniors throughout the commonwealth coordinated by Pre-K for PA and the Department of Aging.
Musical selections by Central Dauphin High School Chorus directed by John Madas.
Read the full article here.
