Governor Josh Shapiro and Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis are set to visit Riverview Children's Center in Verona, Pennsylvania, to discuss the impact of the recently enacted 2025-26 state budget on child care accessibility and affordability. The event will take place on December 1, 2025, at 11:00 AM.
The new budget addresses a shortage in the child care workforce across Pennsylvania, where there are currently about 3,000 unfilled positions. Measures include the creation of a $25 million Child Care Staff Retention and Recruitment Program and an additional $7.5 million allocated for Pre-K Counts rates to help providers raise wages and stabilize early educator employment.
According to officials, these investments build upon actions taken during Governor Shapiro's first two years in office. These previous initiatives included expanding the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit as well as establishing the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit aimed at supporting businesses that assist working parents with child care costs.
Participants expected at the event include Stephanie Heakins, Director of Riverview Children's Center; Leah Lisowski, a teacher at the center; Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa; Senator Lindsey Williams; and Representative Joe McAndrew.
The event will be available via live stream at pacast.com/live/gov and governor.pa.gov/live/.
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