NEWS ROOM
State Budget Fails to Address Crisis in Early Childhood Sector to the Detriment of Working Families and Employers
HARRISBURG, PA (July 11, 2024) – Today, the principal partners of the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA Campaigns issued the following statements regarding Senate Bill 1001 that awaits the expected signature of Governor Shapiro to become the enacted 2024-25...
PA Legislative Latino Caucus, First Up, and Latino Educando Juntos Urge Investments Needed for Early Learning Teacher Recruitment and Retention
PA Legislative Latino Caucus Chairman Rep. Danilo Burgos, Hispanic child care providers and families rallied today at the Capitol along with allies Sen. David Argall, Sen. Jimmy Dillon, Sen. Tim Kearney, Rep. Donna Bullock, Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, Rep. Justin Flemming, Rep. Dane Watro, and other advocates to underscore how a growing early care and education teacher shortage, driven by low compensation, is closing classrooms and programs throughout Pennsylvania and driving up waitlists for working families.
PennLive: OpEd: Investing in early childhood education reduces crime and saves taxpayer dollars | Opinion
At-risk children face so many challenges throughout their lives. One of the greatest accomplishments they can attain that dramatically reduces their likelihood of engaging in criminal activity is graduation from high school.We can help start them on the right path to a high school diploma and give their parents some of the skills that they may not have learned in their own childhood by providing these children with access to high-quality, publicly funded pre-kindergarten programs.
Times-Leader: Their View: State Must Invest in its Children
As the state legislature debates budget priorities, an area of concern on both sides of the aisle is the readiness of our future workforce. As a retired U.S. Army general, I too am concerned about this especially since the young people of today are the service members of the future.
Lehigh Valley Live: LTE: Child care providers getting some financial help in PA
The stimulus bill passed on May 28 by the Pennsylvania Legislature showed that our elected officials can work together. I am so thankful that the bill includes $116 million for child careand also money for pre-k and Head Start.
Lancaster Online: LTE: Child care center suffering greatly
Our Star-4 child care facility closed on March 14. In that moment, I stopped serving our 149 families and their children. I had to lay off 20 employees. The majority of my families do not participate in child care subsidy to help pay for the cost of their care. Instead they pay out of pocket.
MEDIA CONTACT
Kate Philips
215-850-4647
kphilips@prekforpa.org
EARLY EDUCATION EXPERTS
If you are a reporter looking for comment or background from one of our early education experts, please Kate Philips at kphilips@prekforpa.org.
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Tribune-Democrat: Pa. poll finds voters overwhelmingly support early childhood education investments
New polling of Pennsylvania voters shows near unanimity on the value of early childhood education, results advocates hope will lead to increased funding in the commonwealth’s next budget.
Erie News Now: New Poll Suggests Increased Support Among Pa Voters for Child Care Investments
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.