Kim highlights PA Rescue Plan investments in child care, workers

HARRISBURG, May 12 – The vital role childcare facilities play in society is beyond apparent and state Rep. Patty Kim hosted a tour of Harrisburg’s Keystone Early Learning Center to highlight how the PA Rescue Plan’s proposed investments could support facilities and their employees.

The proposed plan would invest $170 million in onsite childcare startup grants, a facility capital program and a Keystone STARS redesign.

“Today’s tour of the Keystone Early Learning Center provided a glimpse at the positive effects targeted investments from the PA Rescue Plan would have on our community, our workers and our children’s education,” said Kim, D-Dauphin. “This should be a bipartisan priority and a step forward to improve Pennsylvania’s future for all families.”

At the tour, legislators had the opportunity to see the benefits of onsite child care and the efforts this facility has taken to implement COVID-19 safety measures while providing a quality educational childcare experience for their students.

Lana Stitzel, director of the Keystone Early Learning Center, shared the many ways the facility has adapted during COVID-19, but also shared the struggles they have faced in retaining employees and keeping child care affordable. 

State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro, chairman of the PA House Democratic Policy Committee, added, “We’ve seen how important childcare facilities and their staff and educators are to families; but the last year has shown us that they are truly a crucial piece of the economic puzzle. Without them, entire workforces would be crippled. In addition to the important work they do starting our children out in life, they also make sure our essential employees can get to work. The PA Rescue Plan invests in expanding facilities and staff retention tools.”

The PA Rescue Plan aims to ensure federal American Rescue Plan funding is invested in Pennsylvania for immediate impact and long-term success. Additional information about the plan is available at www.pahouse.com/parescueplan.