Pennsylvania officials address rural child care worker shortage

Lt. Gov. Austin Davis and Second Lady Blayre Holmes Davis emphasized the need for more child care workers in Pennsylvania's rural areas during a roundtable discussion in Armstrong County. As parents of a toddler, they highlighted how the proposed Shapiro-Davis budget aims to improve access to quality child care services.

"This issue is personal for us - and it's personal for families across the Commonwealth, in cities like Pittsburgh and in more rural communities, as well," stated Lt. Gov. Davis, who serves as co-chair of the Early Learning Investment Commission (ELIC). He noted that affordable and accessible child care is crucial for working families and the business community.

The Lieutenant Governor and Second Lady have been vocal advocates for Pennsylvania's child care system. They previously addressed this issue at events in Blair County and Allegheny County. At today's event, representatives from ELIC, the Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs, the Advisory Commission on Women, local business members, and child care providers gathered at Grandma's House in Apollo to discuss the Shapiro-Davis Administration's 2025-26 proposed budget. This budget continues important investments in child care and early learning while introducing a new proposal to tackle workforce shortages.

Interviews included Robert Capanna, Lindsay Garrison, Christina Saunders, and Emily Neff.