May 01, 2025 - Honesdale, PA

ADVISORY - In Honesdale: The Shapiro Administration Touts Bipartisan Support for Governor Shapiro's Proposed Investment to Recruit and Retain Child Care Workers, Expand Access to Affordable Child Care

The Governor's Advisory Commission on Women and Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs were joined by state legislators, local leaders, and child care advocates at the Tiny Steps Learning Center in Wayne County to discuss Governor Josh Shapiro's latest proposed investments to help stabilize the child care workforce.

Governor Shapiro's budget proposal invests $55 million in workforce recruitment and retention grants to increase child care availability and pay these dedicated workers more. These grants would provide an additional $1,000 annually per employee working in licensed child care centers in the Child Care Works (CCW) Program.

"Ensuring widespread access to high-quality child care requires strong policies, community efforts, and investment," said Ashley Walkowiak, Executive Director of Governor's Advisory Commission on Women. "Supporting our child care workforce is not just an investment in individual families - it is a commonsense investment in the well-being of our communities and future generations."

Speakers Include:
Ashley Walkowiak, Executive Director of Governor's Advisory Commission on Women
State Senator Rosemary Brown, 40th Legislative District
Kristen Mang, Owner/Director of Tiny Steps Learning Center of Cherry Ridge
Pantea Shademani, Education Director for Wayne Pike Workforce Alliance
Olga Negron, Executive Director of Governor's Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs

• Full Advisory