Dr. Carrie Rowe, Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Education | Pennsylvania Department Of Education
Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh are scheduled to visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to discuss new measures included in the recently signed 2025-26 Pennsylvania state budget. The focus of their visit is to highlight recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers.
The state is currently experiencing a shortage in its child care workforce, with approximately 3,000 positions unfilled across Pennsylvania. To address this issue, the new budget introduces a $25 million Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program. This initiative will provide about $450 annually per employee to licensed Child Care Works providers.
According to the announcement, "This budget takes direct action to address that problem, with a new $25 million Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program that will provide roughly $450 annually per employee to licensed Child Care Works providers."
The investment builds on actions taken during Governor Shapiro’s first two years in office. During that time, he expanded the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit and established the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit. These programs aim to help businesses support working parents by making child care more affordable.
Governor Shapiro, Secretary Arkoosh, and Representative Tina Davis are expected at the event on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at Children of God Educational Services in Bristol.
Live streaming of the event will be available at pacast.com/live/gov and governor.pa.gov/live/.
Press interested in attending have been asked to RSVP with their news outlet information as well as names of photographers and reporters.
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