Pennsylvania Offering Grants To Childcare Workers

PENNSYLVANIA — Childcare workers in Pennsylvania can get grants worth several hundred dollars through the CARES Act, Gov. Tom Wolf said last week. Pennsylvania's childcare workers can take advantage of one-time, $600 grants.

The funds are available to child care providers licensed by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning through federal Child Care Development Fund quality dollars and remaining funding previously made available through the federal CARES Act funds allocated for child care providers.

Funds are available to all licensed child care providers that are currently open and operating regardless of Keystone STARS level. Approximately 33,000 child care employees across the commonwealth are eligible for the one-time $600 award.

Those eligible for the money include child care workers who are employed by a licensed child care provider as of Jan. 1, earn less than or equal to a gross annual salary of $70,000, and work a minimum of 20 hours per week at a licensed child care provider.

Child care providers that are licensed and certified can apply on behalf of their eligible employees. All applications must be sent to the provider’s Early Learning Resource Centers and received by Feb. 12.

Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Distribution will be regional only and be limited.

About $220 million in CARES funding has been allocated to support child care providers across Pennsylvania since the COVID-19 crisis began.

On Dec. 27, 2020, an additional $10 billion dollars was allocated by the federal government to support child care. States should receive their share of the additional funds made available in the coming weeks.

For more information on child care providers operating during the COVID-19 public health crisis, visit the Department of Human Services website here.