Shapiro Administration Announces Child Care Recruitment and Retention Grant for Harrisburg Child Care Center, Supporting Child Care Workers & Families

• Share

April 20, 2026 - Harrisburg, PA

Shapiro Administration Announces Child Care Recruitment and Retention Grant for Harrisburg Child Care Center, Supporting Child Care Workers & Families

Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) Deputy Secretary for the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Shante' Brown announced that Follow Me Christian Child Care is the recipient of the largest Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program bonus award in Dauphin Country created in the 2025-26 Budget. Grants were distributed to child care centers on April 15 and staff will begin receiving their bonuses soon.

The visit highlights how 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 increase bonuses for workers at licensed child care centers that participate in Pennsylvania's Child Care Works (CCW) program from a minimum of $450 estimated for first round payments to at least $630.

"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 Deputy Secretary Brown. "Our dedicated, passionate child care workers are the ones who make that possible, and the Shapiro Administration is proud to make these investments that will support this essential field and strengthen our child care industry and our overall economy."

Interviews:
Shante' Brown - Deputy Secretary, Office of Child Development and Early Learning, PA Dept. of Human Services (DHS)
Jennifer Granitz - Executive Director, Follow Me Christian Child Care

• Press Release

• Download Video For Websites
• Download Video For Broadcast