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Federal grant funding to support Pennsylvania’s child care subsidies
Federal grant funding to support Pennsylvania’s child care subsidies
Child Care Works (CCW), Pennsylvania’s subsidized child care program, is set to receive $352 million in funding to decrease costs to families who qualify for subsidized care and add incentives for child care providers.
The Wolf Administration announced on Monday that it will apply $352 million in Child Care Development Fund Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to support the state’s CCW funding, starting Jan. 1, 2022.
The funding comes after Pennsylvania received more than $1 billion from the ARPA to support the state’s child care industry, child care providers and the children and families relying on the system, the administration wrote in a press release.
“We cannot miss an opportunity to invest resources where they will make a positive and lasting impact on our children. By targeting investments to our subsidized child care system, we are investing in equitable quality child care for all Pennsylvanians, no matter where they live or their income,” said Gov. Tom Wolf.
The new funding for CCW will include $121.9 million to lower maximum copayments for eligible families. Current copayments through CCW range from 3% to 11%. The additional funding would lower that to 3% to 7%, in line with federal recommendations.
The funding will also give CCW $213.7 million to increase base rates for providers participating in CCW and $16.8 million for add-on incentives for child care providers offering non-traditional hours.
“Beyond its necessity for a thriving economy today, investments in quality early learning and child care programs carry into PreK-12 education and throughout adulthood,” said Meg Snead, acting secretary for the state Department of Human Services. This funding will give our youngest Pennsylvanians a strong start they deserve and supports the dedicated educators and professionals that make this possible.”
