HARRISBURG — Child care in Pennsylvania continues to be unaffordable and inaccessible for many families, leading to a shortage of providers and affecting businesses across the state. Low wages for child care workers also contribute to the ongoing crisis. In response, Pennsylvania lawmakers have expanded the child and dependent tax credit to help families offset child care costs. The tax credit can provide up to $1,050 for one child or $2,100 for two or more children, a significant increase from previous years.
Despite the tax credit expansion, local chambers of commerce and advocacy groups argue that more needs to be done to address the structural issues within the child care industry, such as low wages and provider shortages. The Child Care Works program currently subsidizes child care for low-income families in the state, but advocates are calling for additional government subsidies and grants to help centers raise employee wages.
Last summer, a survey conducted by Start Strong PA, a statewide coalition advocating for accessible child care, revealed a significant provider shortage in Pennsylvania. The coalition recommended providing salary supplements to early childhood workers and implementing hiring and retention bonuses to improve access to child care.
Ultimately, advocates are pushing for more government intervention and support to address the critical issues facing the child care industry in Pennsylvania. As the state continues to grapple with a shortage of providers and high costs for families, solutions are needed to ensure that all children have access to quality care while supporting the workforce that provides it.
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