ALLEGHENY COUNTY — Roughly 25,000 fewer children in Pennsylvania are benefiting from a program that helps low-income families find affordable child care compared with before the coronavirus pandemic, fueling concerns
Experts and advocates fear the decline in Child Care Works enrollment is a sign the pandemic has forced low-income families to prioritize home care over earning a paycheck.
Local news from StateCollege.com and Centre County Partners. Read about Waning Signups for Pa. Child Care Program Could Forecast Weak Economic Recovery and more from the State College, PA region
No one knows for sure why the state’s signature program for child care assistance is declining, but experts and advocates fear it’s a sign the pandemic has forced families with low incomes to prioritize home care over earning a paycheck.
Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Sign up for our free newsletters. Roughly 25,000 fewer children in Pennsylvania are benefiting from a program that helps low-income families find affordable child care compared with