Daycare sure looks a hell of a lot like a frat house, doesn’t it?! 🥳 Kids passed out in their clothes with marker on their faces. A lingering smell of pee, puke, and Cheetos. Maybe our kids are more prepared for college than we think? 🫣🍻
We’ve beaten the drum before about sky-high childcare costs. Some PA families have access to a helpful subsidy, but there’s a few dents in the program that have folks scratching their heads. 🤔
Here’s Five Fast Facts on childcare subsidies in PA:
- 👨👩👧👦 For the Kids - This fiscal year, Gov. Shapiro added $62 million more in funding for Child Care Works, PA’s subsidy program. Now, child care advocates and providers are pushing for the state to do even more to help families in need of assistance. They’re asking for more funding, adjustments to eligibility guidelines, and less barriers to access.
- ✅ Just an Adjustment - In the ‘23-’24 fiscal year, PA increased eligibility income limits from 200% to 300% of poverty. Doing the math, 200% of poverty equals $40,440 for a parent with one child and up to $105,440 for a family of eight. For a family of two, 300% of poverty equals a little more than $61,000.
- 🤨 All Square, No Fair - The sticky situation is that two PA families could have the same exact income, but different eligibility depending on when they first accessed the program. For example, someone could lose their subsidy if their income rises above the 200% limit if they got in before the limits were adjusted. Even if their income is well below the new 300% limit, they make too much to reapply.
- 💵 Part of the Process - To access the subsidy, parents apply through PA’s Early Learning Resource Center who then tells them if they’re eligible and how much they’ll receive. After getting accepted, they can enroll their kids in a participating childcare program and the money is sent directly to the center. Parents must also pay an income-based copay ranging anywhere between $5 to $75 a week.
- 🚼 Maybe, Baby - The Keystone state has boosted funding for programs like Pre-K Counts and Headstart, but this only covers school-age kiddos. Critics say they need to take a broader focus. PA hasn’t had the same priority to increase funding for infants, toddlers, and after-school care.
🔥Bottom line: Seems a little unfair for a family to get the boot just because they signed up before requirements changed. Let’s hope this gets sorted out so more PA families can keep a bigger piece of that paycheck. Want to keep even more of that take home pay? Just say no to moochers. Need help with that? We cover it all right here!
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