Shapiro Administration Announces Child Care Recruitment and Retention Grant for Altoona Child Care Center, Supporting Child Care Workers & Families | Department of Human[...]

Bonuses for staff have been disbursed to child care centers and are going into child care workers' pockets.

Governor Josh Shapiro is doubling down on the success of the child care recruitment and retention bonuses by increasing payments for child care workers in the proposed 2026-27 Budget.

Altoona, PA - Today, Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh celebrated with Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program award recipients at The Academy Preschool & Early Education Center. Grants were distributed to child care centers this spring and staff have started to receive these first bonuses - an investment in our workforce the Shapiro Administration hopes to continue to grow.

Governor Josh Shapiro's 2026-27 Budget Proposal builds on his Administration's efforts to make child care more affordable and accessible by investing an additional $10 million in the Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program to provide more support to the child care workforce, bringing the total investment to $35 million. The additional funds would provide bonuses of at least $630 for workers at licensed child care centers that participate in Pennsylvania's Child Care Works (CCW) program.

"I am so proud to see the first round of Recruitment and Retention Bonuses going into the pockets of our hardworking child care providers. Early learning and child care programs are an invaluable resource that foster educational and social development for our youngest Pennsylvanians and are a catalyst for a healthy, vibrant economy," said Secretary Arkoosh. "Our dedicated, passionate child care workers are the ones who make that possible, and the Shapiro Administration is proud to make these investments to support professionals, strengthen our child care industry, and our overall economy."

In the 2025-26 budget, Governor Shapiro secured $25 million in first-time funding to support child care workers at CCW child care providers with $645 retention bonuses. Applications closed for the first round of grants in January, with more than 4,300 child care providers applying. Because of this investment, $645 bonuses will go out to nearly 39,000 child care workers. Once all retention bonuses are paid, remaining funds will be used to help support child care providers in recruiting staff with one-time incentive payments.

"Quality childcare changes lives, but it starts with qualified staff. The people shaping our youngest minds today are helping build the future of our communities tomorrow," said Academy Owner, Samantha Pope.

Child care and early learning are critical to child development and set young Pennsylvanians up for success - and a strong child care workforce ensures parents can continue to pursue their careers even after having children. Child care workers are the workforce behind the workforce. However, access to quality child care remains an issue for many Pennsylvania families, and staffing shortages and low wages at child care centers continue to plague an already vulnerable system.

In addition to staff bonus increases to further support Pennsylvania's child care and early learning programs, the 2026-27 Budget Proposal includes:

• An additional $7.5 million for the Pre-K Counts program to help providers raise wages and stabilize the early educator workforce; and

• $2 million for the Head Start State Supplemental program to help providers raise wages and stabilize the early educator workforce.

Building on the Shapiro Administration's Investments in Pennsylvania's Families and Strengthening the Child Care Workforce

These investments build on the work the Shapiro Administration has done during the past three years. Since 2023, DHS has made new investments in access to care by increasing base reimbursement rates for providers participating in Child Care Works This allows CCW providers to invest in quality of care and their workforce amid the continued challenges of operating.

Governor Shapiro signed into law a historic expansion of the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit that increases Pennsylvania's match from 30 to 100 percent of the federal credit, increasing the maximum benefit from $630 to $2,100 per family. In 2024, this increase delivered $136.5 million to 218,953 working families. Last year, Governor Shapiro worked with the General Assembly to create the Employer Child Care Contribution Tax Credit, which allows employers who contribute to employees' child care costs to claim a tax credit of up to 30 percent of eligible contributions, capped at $500 per employee.

The Academy provides a safe, nurturing, and engaging environment where children learn, grow, and thrive. Their dedicated educators focus on early childhood development through hands-on learning, creativity, and compassionate care. The Academy partners with families to build strong foundations that inspire confidence, curiosity, and lifelong success.

Learn more about Child Care Works and find more information on certified child care providers at https://www.findchildcare.pa.gov.

Read more about Governor Shapiro's 2026-27 Budget Proposal.

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