HARRISBURG – The bipartisan 2026-27 budget, which Governor Shapiro signed into law last month, is winning praise from business leaders from across the state for its investments in child care, including $30 million for the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program – a $5 million increase over last year.
As the father of a young child, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis is a strong advocate for quality, accessible child care and early learning in Pennsylvania. He was appointed by the Governor to serve as co-chair of the Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC), a bipartisan commission of business leaders that engages cross-sector stakeholders across the Commonwealth to strengthen Pennsylvania’s workforce and long-term competitiveness through child care innovation.
The Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, launched last year, is receiving an additional $5 million in state funding this year, bringing the total investment in this budget to $30 million. The additional funds will provide at least $540 per employee annually at licensed Child Care Works providers – an increase over last year's initial estimate by about $100 per employee.
Read what business leaders from across the Commonwealth are saying about the bipartisan state budget’s investments in child care:
Jim Hoehn, ELIC co-chair and regional president for central Pennsylvania at PNC Bank: “On behalf of the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission, we appreciate the bipartisan commitment to strengthening Pennsylvania's child care workforce through continued investment in the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention program. Access to reliable, high-quality child care and early childhood education is essential for working families and helps ensure employers have the workforce needed to grow and compete. I’m encouraged by this continued investment in recruiting and retaining early childhood educators, which helps build a stronger workforce and a stronger economy for Pennsylvania.”
Stephanie Doliveira, ELIC commissioner and executive vice president for people and culture at Sheetz: “For employers, attracting and retaining talent means creating an environment where employees can thrive both at work and at home. Reliable, high-quality child care is an important part of that equation. Continued investment in Pennsylvania's child care workforce helps working families succeed while strengthening the workforce that businesses like Sheetz depend on every day.”
Roxanna Gapstur, ELIC commissioner and president and CEO at Wellspan Health: “Healthcare organizations depend on thousands of dedicated employees in a wide range of roles to care for our communities each day. When those employees have access to reliable, high-quality child care, they're better able to be there for their patients, their colleagues, and the communities they serve. Continued investment in Pennsylvania's child care workforce is an investment in the people who make quality healthcare possible.”
Dr. Brandy Hershberger, ELIC commissioner and chief nursing office and vice president of academic affairs at UPMC: “As nurses, we see firsthand the impact that reliable child care has on the health and well-being of our communities. Pennsylvania’s continued investment in child care, along with the dedication of early childhood educators, helps ensure that healthcare professionals can be there when patients need them most. Supporting the child care workforce is an investment in the caregivers who strengthen and sustain communities across our Commonwealth.”
Kevin Schreiber, ELIC commissioner and president and CEO at York County Economic Alliance: “I appreciate Governor Josh Shapiro and ELIC Co-Chair Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis's continued leadership and commitment to strengthening Pennsylvania's child care workforce. Child care isn't just a family issue—it's an economic issue. Investments that strengthen the child care workforce help employers attract and retain talent, increase workforce participation, and make Pennsylvania a more competitive place to do business. This funding is an investment in our youth but also in the foundation of our economy.”
Andy Williford, ELIC commissioner and head of people and culture at Volvo CE, Sales North America: “Strong infrastructure depends on a strong workforce. I appreciate Pennsylvania's continued investment in high-quality child care and early learning solutions, including the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention program, because supporting working families and Pennsylvania’s children also strengthens our readiness to support workforce demand today and demand that will exist in the future. High-quality child care and early learning investment help build our pipeline of ready and capable workers for the future. It's an investment in the people and families behind the infrastructure we rely on every day.”
Lee Falconieri, ELIC commissioner and vice president of human resources at Dunmore: “As an employer, I know that access to dependable, quality child care directly impacts our ability to attract, retain, and develop a strong workforce. Continued investment in Pennsylvania's Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention program supports working families while helping businesses meet today's workforce challenges. It's a practical investment that benefits employees, employers, and the long-term strength of our Commonwealth.”