Home Bensalem Times $303 million planned to support child care providers across PA

$303 million planned to support child care providers across PA

The funds come from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021

Gov. Tom Wolf announced allocation plans for more than $303 million in federal funds received to support child care providers. The funds come from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021, signed into law in December. The allocation is to support an industry that’s both a critical cornerstone of Pennsylvania’s economy and a critical introduction to early education for children across Pennsylvania.

“Child care providers across our commonwealth have endured a year of challenges and changes – circumstances that have made doing business incredibly challenging,” said Wolf. “A healthy, vibrant child care industry is a 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 parents to work so our communities and economy can thrive.”

The funding will be issued beginning April 20, and will be divided to support child care through multiple channels, including:

– $140.7 million to support child care providers experiencing reduced enrollments
– $64.6 million to help child care providers continue to account for increased costs in order to operate safely
– $87.17 million to support increased, regionalized base payment rates for child care providers participating in subsidized child care
– $3 million to expand the number of child care professionals who can receive pandemic relief awards to an additional 5,000 people

Additionally, $984,000 will provide an administrative rate to increase Early Learning Resource Centers, OCDEL’s regional partners that administer CCW and distribute federal stimulus support to providers at the local level. About $7 million is reserved in case temporarily closed providers choose to reopen, which would then qualify them for support.

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