Pennsylvania’s Early Learning Programs Level-Funded for Remainder of FY 20-21
Advocacy campaigns continue to push on reimbursement policy and federal stabilization fund
HARRISBURG, PA (November 20, 2020) – The principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, thank the General Assembly for level funding state investments in high-quality pre-k, child care and evidence-based home visiting services to help Pennsylvania’s working families. ELPA operates three issue-based advocacy campaigns: Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, and Childhood Begins at Home. Reaction statements from these respective campaigns regarding final FY 2020-21 budget follow.
CHILD CARE
“Start Strong PA is grateful to the General Assembly and the Wolf Administration for continuing to level fund child care through the remainder of the FY 20-21. Knowing that our economy depends on working families and working families depend on high-quality child care, access to these services is a necessity in our economic recovery”
“Start Strong PA is resolved to continue to advocate for additional federal funding to stabilize the child care sector and for subsidy policy that bases child care subsidy payment, during this crisis, on pre-pandemic enrollment. The policy recently released by OCDEL clarifies payment in the case of a class or program closure where there is a COVID case or child cannot attend because they test positive. They have yet however, to make any revision to the policy enacted on September 1st that penalizes providers that suffer the reduction in demand for services associated with COVID compliance or fear of contagion.”
“In a study on COVID-19’s impact on Pennsylvania’s child care sector, Penn State’s Director of Institute of State and Regional Affairs reports an estimated $325 million in new costs and lost revenues for PA providers since the economic shutdown. The PennState study reports that these increased costs and reduced enrollment have put 1,000 more providers at risk of closing”
“Such a contraction of Pennsylvania’s child care sector would jeopardize the healthy development of Pennsylvania’s youngest children and disrupt working families as they navigate the new realities of work and school for the duration of the pandemic and beyond.”
PRE-K
“Level funding for high-quality, publicly funded pre-k shows the legislature’s commitment to preserving the state’s investment in early learning. For nearly a decade, Pennsylvania has expanded access to pre-k every year. During an extraordinary and uncertain budget year, this agreement shows a bipartisan commitment to our youngest learners and working families of Pennsylvania.”
“However, Pennsylvania’s early learning providers have incurred devastating losses over the past 8+ months, while more than 100,000 eligible 3- and 4-year-olds await access to a publicly funded pre-k classroom. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge, these financial losses paired with new expenses and smaller enrollments threaten to collapse the early learning system, at a time when capacity is key to meeting the educational needs of Pennsylvania’s youngest learners. Families of 3- and 4-year-olds seeking high quality pre-k require both education and child care.”
EVIDENCE-BASED HOME VISITING
“Whether it is making sure a newborn is growing appropriately and meeting developmental milestones, that an expectant first-time mother is healthy, or a young child gains early literacy skills, the critical services provided through evidence-based home visiting are more important now than ever, as more and more families face mounting challenges during the pandemic.”
“The Childhood Begins at Home campaign is pleased to see that funding for delivering evidence-based home visiting services was level-funded for the 2020-21 budget. With the closure of the current fiscal year, the six evidence-based home visiting models receiving state funding in Pennsylvania can breathe a collective sigh of relief as payments for services in the current quarter have been delayed since October. Providers and families now have certainty that the much-needed services provided through virtual visits can continue.”
“In addition, the Community Based Family Center line that funds evidence-based home visiting in the state budget did receive a $1 million increase in the final state budget bill. However, this allocation was not to expand services to additional children and families, but instead to preserve federal slots through the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting program (MIECHV) services as a means to offset the loss of federal funding earlier in the year.”
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“From birth to age 5 early learning is happening, and our coalition of advocates is committed to ensuring that families can access it in high-quality, developmentally appropriate settings. The lack of state resources for early learning creates deep inequity among families at a very early age. Especially during this time of economic uncertainty, we remind lawmakers that these services support working families and that support is an urgent necessity.”
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State Representative Michael Schlossberg and State Representative Peter Schweyer Tour Luv N Hugs Learning Center
Child Care Providers Struggle to Remain Open as the Workforce in Northeast PA Returns to Work
ALLENTOWN: (October 22, 2020) – Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Campaign partner the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children hosted a virtual classroom tour at Luv N Hugs Learning Center in Allentown today describing the challenges COVID-19 has caused the child care industry. State Representative Michael Schlossberg and State Representative Peter Schweyer participated in the tour and discussion.
Cereta Johnson, Owner/Director of Luv N Hugs offered a glimpse into the early learning center describing both visually and verbally how providers support our children, families, businesses, and are a critical component to our economic recovery. Joining her in the discussion were Sofia Estrella, Owner/Director of Elevation Learning Center, Betty Druckenmiller, Center Director of Volunteers of America and Cystal Lopez, Director of Kiddie City Learning Center. The message was clear, the child care industry in northeast PA and across Pennsylvania immediately needs substantially more funding so that as the state reopens, they can stay open and our workforce can return to work.
“We have had to make changes to stay open – closing one pre-school classroom and reassigning teaching staff to virtual school support. We expected an increase in enrollments in September but that has yet to occur. Currently we are at about 65% enrollment. I do not feel that confident about whether we will still be here next September.” said Betty Druckenmiller, Director at Volunteers of America.
In a study on COVID-19’s impact on Pennsylvania’s child care sector, Penn State’s Director of Institute of State and Regional Affairs reports an estimated $325 million in new costs and lost revenues for PA providers since the economic shutdown.
“The financial impact, not only for PA child care providers but for the businesses that employ the families those child care providers serve will certainly result in more closures if additional funds do not materialize quickly. With this very real risk that providers across Pennsylvania will close, our state will not have the workforce to be able to effectively recover from this pandemic,” said Kim Early, Public Policy Director, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, who hosted the tour.
In the wake of COVID-related closures, the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns — representing tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families — have illustrated the urgent need for relief, as Pennsylvania’s child care providers have incurred devastating losses over the past 6+ months. Stabilizing the Commonwealth’s child care and early learning system is a necessary strategy supporting our overall economic recovery.
The Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns represent thousands of early learning providers and supporters across Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.startstrongpa.org and www.prekforpa.org.
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Representative Jordan Harris Tours Gray’s Ferry Learning Academy, Care-A-Lot Learning Center and Brightside Academy
Child Care Providers Struggle to Remain Open as the Workforce in Southeast PA Returns to Work
PHILADELPHIA, PA: (October 22, 2020) – Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Campaign partner First Up hosted virtual classroom tours at Gray’s Ferry Learning Academy, Care-A-Lot Learning Center and Brightside Academy in Philadelphia today describing the challenges COVID-19 has caused the child care industry. Senator Anthony Williams staff and Representative Jordan Harris both participated in the tour and discussion.
“Brightside Academy takes pride in the critical role our organization plays in providing peace of mind for families who rely on us to keep their children safe while in a nurturing and educational environment. Providers are facing unprecedented hardships, and many are at risk of closure. The current climate is not sustainable”, stated Sharen Woodley, Regional Vice President of BSA. “COVID-19 has negatively impacted Grey’s Ferry Learning Academy’s enrollment causing a significant reduction in revenues, to the tune of 45%”
Woodley offered a glimpse into the early learning center describing both visually and verbally how providers support our children, families, businesses, and are a critical component to our economic recovery. The child care industry in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania immediately needs substantially more funding so that as the state reopens, they can stay open and our workforce can return to work.
Unis Bey Owner/Director, Gray’s Ferry Learning Academy who just received her STAR 4 designation described an unsustainable situation. “Although my high-quality program has the capacity to serve and prepare 92 children for success, only two of the seven classrooms are being used and even those two classrooms are not full.”
In a study on COVID-19’s impact on Pennsylvania’s child care sector, Penn State’s Director of Institute of State and Regional Affairs reports an estimated $325 million in new costs and lost revenues for PA providers since the economic shutdown.
“Over 300 providers have closed across the state and 1,000 are at risk of closing” said Carol Austin, Executive Director of First Up, who hosted the tour. “What will happen to the 70% of PA children under the age of six who had all adults in their household in the workforce prior to the pandemic? Those adults need child care to return to work.”
In the wake of COVID-related closures, the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns — representing tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families — have illustrated the urgent need for relief, as Pennsylvania’s child care providers have incurred devastating losses over the past 6+ months. Stabilizing the Commonwealth’s child care and early learning system is a necessary strategy supporting our overall economic recovery.
The Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns represent thousands of early learning providers and supporters across Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.startstrongpa.org and www.prekforpa.org.
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Senator Camera Bartolotta and Representative Tim O’Neal Staff Member Tour The Village of FPC
Child Care Providers Struggle to Remain Open as the Workforce in Southwest PA Returns to Work
CALIFORNIA, PA: (October 7, 2020) – Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Campaign partner Trying Together hosted a virtual classroom tour at The Village of FPC in California, PA today describing the challenges COVID-19 has caused the child care industry. Senator Camera Bartolotta and Eric Kratz from Representative Tim O’Neal’s office participated in the tour and discussion.
“After closing in March, we reopened June 1st at 20% capacity and have are enrolled around 50%. In addition to loss in revenue and increased expenses, we are experiencing what I would call, COVID fatigue,” said Cherie Sears, President, The Village of FPC. “We have been adjusting curriculum that wasn’t designed for social distancing, and the entire playbook has been rewritten 8 times since June 1st.”
“Child care staff put ourselves at risk everyday for very little compensation. Without child care, many other frontline workers would not be able to go to work, and we get no recognition for being front line workers ourselves.” Sears offered a glimpse into the early learning center describing both visually and verbally how providers support our children, families, businesses, and are a critical component to our economic recovery.
In a study on COVID-19’s impact on Pennsylvania’s child care sector, Penn State’s Director of Institute of State and Regional Affairs reports an estimated $325 million in new costs and lost revenues for PA providers since the economic shutdown.
“Child care policies and protocols have changed significantly and they are very costly,” said Sears. “Centers like The Village must now have additional staff to meet cars outside as parents are not able to bring children into the center. In addition to cleaning supplies and PPE, each child must now have their own materials.”
“Child care, an industry with professionals that barely make a livable wage, holds the weight of our economic recovery. And without additional financial support that industry will collapse under that weight, along with the workforce and businesses that rely on them,” said Shalonda Spencer, Director of Government Affairs and Policy, Trying Together.
In the wake of COVID-related closures, the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns — representing tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families — have illustrated the urgent need for relief, as Pennsylvania’s child care providers have incurred devastating losses over the past 6+ months. Stabilizing the Commonwealth’s child care and early learning system is a necessary strategy supporting our overall economic recovery.
The Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns represent thousands of early learning providers and supporters across Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.startstrongpa.org and www.prekforpa.org.
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Senator Anthony Williams and Representative Joanna McClinton Tour KenCrest West Early Learning Center
Child Care Providers Struggle to Remain Open as the Workforce in Southeast PA Returns to Work
PHILADELPHIA, PA: (October 6, 2020) – Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Campaign partner First Up hosted a virtual classroom tour at KenCrest West Early Learning Center in Philadelphia today describing the challenges COVID-19 has caused the child care industry. Senator Anthony Williams and Representative Joanna McClinton both participated in the tour and discussion.
“KenCrest has been in operation for over 115 years, providing early education for over 50 years. We operate STAR 3 and 4 quality level centers serving families in seven Philadelphia neighborhoods.” Marian Baldini, President and CEO, KenCrest. “Our situation is significantly challenging because we are operating at 75% enrollment in our infant and toddler classrooms, 60% in our Pre-K Counts and Head Start classrooms and our school age enrollment has been reduced by 60%.”
“In addition, KenCrest has many new protocols and practices based on what we call the “three M’s” – Managing the number of contacts; Minimizing contact intensity and Maximizing mitigation.” Melanie Brennan, Executive Director of Early Learning, KenCrest. “These new protocols have exponentially increased our costs. As one example, we have now hired “safety ambassadors” who spend the entire day cleaning classrooms, materials, playgrounds, bathrooms, etc.”
Baldini and Brennan offered a glimpse into the early learning center describing both visually and verbally how providers support our children, families, businesses, and are a critical component to our economic recovery. The child care industry in Philadelphia and across Pennsylvania immediately needs substantially more funding so that as the state reopens, they can stay open and our workforce can return to work.
In a study on COVID-19’s impact on Pennsylvania’s child care sector, Penn State’s Director of Institute of State and Regional Affairs reports an estimated $325 million in new costs and lost revenues for PA providers since the economic shutdown.
“The financial impact, not only for PA child care providers but for the businesses that employ the families those child care providers serve will certainly result in more closures if additional funds do not materialize quickly. With this very real risk that providers across Pennsylvania will close, our state will not have the workforce to be able to effectively recover from this pandemic,” said Carol Austin, Executive Director of First Up, who hosted the tour.
In the wake of COVID-related closures, the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns — representing tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families — have illustrated the urgent need for relief, as Pennsylvania’s child care providers have incurred devastating losses over the past 6+ months. Stabilizing the Commonwealth’s child care and early learning system is a necessary strategy supporting our overall economic recovery.
The Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA campaigns represent thousands of early learning providers and supporters across Pennsylvania. For more information visit www.startstrongpa.org and www.prekforpa.org.
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House Majority Whip Donna Oberlander and Clarion County District Attorney Drew Welsh Tour Keystone Smiles Child Learning Center
Child Care Providers Struggle to Remain Open as Clarion County Workforce Returns to Work
KNOX, PA: (October 6, 2020) – Start Strong PA and Pre-K for PA Campaign partner the Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children hosted a virtual classroom tour at Keystone Smiles Child Learning Center in Knox, PA today describing the challenges COVID-19 has caused the child care industry. House Majority Whip Donna Oberlander and Clarion County District Attorney, Drew Welsh both participated in the tour and discussion.
“Keystone Smiles has been in operation since 1994. Four years ago, we reached a STAR 4, the highest level of quality, and now our community is at risk of losing those services. We are in an alarming situation because we are operating at 50% enrollment and uncertain how long we will be able to sustain, based on our current revenue stream,” said Joyce Fosdick, Executive Director, Keystone Smiles Community Learning Center.
“In order to meet CDC guidelines, we are not only operating with less revenue, but we have increased expenses. New protocols such as increased cleaning and social distancing have exponentially increased our costs. There is no doubt that we need more funding to help us get through this,” said Monica Weeter, Keystone Smiles Child Care Director.
Fosdick and Weeter offered a glimpse into the early learning center describing both visually and verbally how providers support our children, families, businesses, and are a critical component to our economic recovery. The child care industry in Clarion County and across Pennsylvania immediately needs substantially more funding so that as the state reopens, they can stay open and our workforce can return to work.
In a study on COVID-19’s impact on Pennsylvania’s child care sector, Penn State’s Director of Institute of State and Regional Affairs reports an estimated $325 million in new costs and lost revenues for PA providers since the economic shutdown.
“The crisis is real,” said Kimberly Early, Public Policy and Advocacy Director, Pennsylvania Association for the Education of Young Children, who hosted the tour. “And this crisis not only impacts the child care industry but the families that need child care to return to work and the businesses that need the workforce in order to reopen fully. Without child care, there is no economic recovery.”
In the wake of COVID-related closures, the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA campaigns — representing tens of thousands of Pennsylvania families — have illustrated the urgent need for relief, as Pennsylvania’s child care providers have incurred devastating losses over the past 6+ months. Stabilizing the Commonwealth’s child care and early learning system is a necessary strategy supporting our overall economic recovery.
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