Governor Tom Wolf announced allocation plans for more than $303 million in federal child care funds. The funds come from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriation Act of 2021 (CRRSAA), signed into law in December.
Child care provider across our commonwealth have endured a year of challenges and changes – circumstances that have made doing business incredibly challenging, said Gov. Wolf. A healthy, vibrant child care industry is necessity to help our economy recover and support parents returning to work. We must remember this as we move forward and continue support for child care providers as they care for young Pennsylvanians and allow parent to work so our communities and economy can thrive. In summary, funds will be allocated as follows (amounts rounded):
$212 million for child care providers
$3 million to provide a $600 Pandemic Relief Award to the 5,000 teachers and staff currently on a waiting list.
$87 million to continue to support the base rate increase previously announced.
$1 million to provide an administrative rate increase for Early Learning Resource Centers.
Additional information including eligibility criteria and timeline will be shared via an Early Education New Special Announcement and available on Pennsylvania Key website on March 10, 2021. The funding will be issued beginning April 20, 2021. We will provide more information once posted.
