PRESS RELEASES & ADVISORIES
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.
Early Childhood Education Caucus Highlights Need for More Pre-K Teachers, Child Care Workers
The bicameral, bipartisan Early Childhood Education Caucus hosted a rally with child care and pre-K students, teachers and parents as well as other advocates to underscore the worsening impacts of the commonwealth’s early learning teacher shortage.
Governor and First Lady Shapiro Welcome Pre-K Students at Residence for Annual Easter Egg Hunt; Show Support for Early Learning Investments Across the Commonwealth
Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro hosted high-quality pre-k classrooms from across the commonwealth at the annual Easter egg hunt at the Governor’s Residence. Preschool students from Montgomery County Intermediate Unit in Norristown, Summit Early Learning in Mifflinburg, and Touching the Future in Fleetwood were in attendance for the festivities.
Shapiro Budget Offers Progress
Early Education Advocates Warn Historic Early Childhood Staffing Shortages will Persist HARRISBURG, PA (February 6, 2024)–Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young...
Pre-K Students Join Gov. Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Davis at Tree-Lighting Ceremony
The Pre-K for PA campaign joined Governor Shapiro at the Pennsylvania Capitol tree lighting ceremony to mark the official start of the holiday season today. The 20-foot Douglas Fir Christmas tree from Crystal Springs Tree Farm in Lehighton, Carbon County, was decorated by pre-k students from all corners of the commonwealth who crafted hundreds of original ornaments.
State Budget Fails to Significantly Invest in Early Care and Education Amid Historic Labor Shortage
Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, issued the following statements regarding House Bill 611 that still awaits the signature of the Senate President Pro Tempore and finally Governor Shapiro to become the enacted 2023-24 Pennsylvania state budget. ELPA operates four issue-based advocacy campaigns: Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA, Childhood Begins at Home and Thriving PA.
PA Senate Passes Budget with NO Funding to Address Early Learning Workforce Shortage
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Kate Philips (Pre-K for PA) philips@parkerphilips.com 215-850-4647 Jodi Askins (Start Strong PA) jodiaskins@gmail.com 272-444-1860 PA Senate Passes Budget with NO Funding to Address Early Learning Workforce Shortage Child...
Governor and First Lady Shapiro Host Annual Easter Egg Hunt at Governor’s Residence, Highlight Importance of Investing in Early Childhood Education Across the Commonwealth
Governor Josh Shapiro and First Lady Lori Shapiro hosted pre-school classrooms and families from across the commonwealth at the annual Easter Egg hunt at the Governor’s Residence today. The event was co-sponsored by Pre-K for PA, a non-partisan advocacy group that supports the expansion of high-quality, publicly funded pre-k.
Early Care and Education in Governor Shapiro’s 2023-24 State Budget Proposal
Today, the principal partners of Early Learning Pennsylvania (ELPA), a statewide coalition of advocates focused on supporting young Pennsylvanians from birth to age five, issued the following statements regardingGovernor Josh Shapiro’s 2023-24 state budget proposal. ELPA operates four issue-based advocacy campaigns: Start Strong PA,Pre-K for PA, Childhood Begins at Home and Thriving PA.
