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November 19, 2025 - Bristol, PA

In Bucks County, Governor Shapiro Highlights New Recruitment & Retention Bonuses for Pennsylvania Child Care Workers Secured in the 2025-26 Budget

Governor Josh Shapiro joined Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Secretary Dr. Val Arkoosh, as well as legislative and community leaders, at Children of God Educational Services in Bucks County to highlight child care investments secured in the 2025-26 budget the Governor signed last week. These investments will help Pennsylvania recruit and retain child care workers, expand access to quality care, and ensure more parents can stay in the workforce and provide for their families.

Pennsylvania's child care industry has 3,000 unfilled jobs - openings that, if filled, would allow providers to serve 25,000 additional children. Providers continue to struggle with low wages that make it hard to hire and retain qualified staff, forcing them to close classrooms and turn families away.

To address workforce shortages and expand child care availability, the 2025-26 budget establishes a $25 million Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, which will provide roughly $450 annually per employee to licensed Child Care Works (CCW) providers. These bonuses will support approximately 55,000 child care workers and help stabilize the child care sector.

"When parents can't find affordable, reliable care, they can't work - and our economy suffers," said Governor Shapiro. "We've lowered costs by tripling the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit for nearly 219,000 working families, but affordability isn't enough - we also have to expand access. That's why we're making investments to help child care centers hire and retain talented educators. These bonuses will help strengthen the workforce, open more slots for children, and make sure families across Pennsylvania can find the care they need."

Speaker List:
Valerie Hamilton, Owner, Children of God Educational Services
Governor Josh Shapiro
Madison Peneguy, After Care Teacher, Children of God Educational Services
Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh
Representative Tina Davis



Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_001.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_002.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_003.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_004.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_005.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_006.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_007.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_008.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_009.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_010.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_011.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_012.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_013.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_014.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_015.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_016.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_017.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a> Governor Josh Shapiro and Secretary of Human Services Dr. Val Arkoosh visit Children of God Educational Services, a licensed child care center in Bucks County, to highlight how the 2025-26 budget Governor Shapiro signed into law last week strengthens Pennsylvanias child care workforce by creating new recruitment and retention bonuses for child care workers..Pennsylvania is facing a child care workforce crisis, with 3,000 unfilled jobs across the Commonwealth. 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.<br><a href="https://filesource.amperwave.net/commonwealthofpa/photo/28649_gov_budgetEvent_DZ_018.jpg" target="_blank">⇣ Download Photo</a>