Local chambers of commerce from across Pennsylvania, including Bradford, submitted a letter to state lawmakers urging them to address the commonwealth’s persistent childcare crisis.
Bradford Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Heidi Scrivo said it made sense for BACC to join the more than 50 other chambers from across Pennsylvania in advocating for legislation.
“This is an issue across the state and country. Advocating for change in this area not only supports families, but also supports our business community,” Scrivo said. “We are currently experiencing a shortage in childcare facilities in our community, which puts added stress on parents and families, but also contributes to our workforce challenges. Many parents are unable to work due to lack of childcare availability or affordability.”
The letter calls for a state investment that directly helps childcare providers to recruit and retain their teachers. The letter explains that alleviating the childcare workforce shortage means classrooms can remain open or reopen, increasing the availability of child care for the tens of thousands of families that need it to remain in the workforce and contribute to Pennsylvania’s overall economy.
As part of the letter, local chamber leaders point to numerous states that are navigating the childcare teacher shortage crisis that is closing programs and driving up waitlists for working families in need of care. At least 18 states are directly investing in recruitment and retention strategies to solve the shortage and ensure that supply can meet the demand from working families.
“Workforce shortages have impacted many sectors,” said Dan Wertz, administrator of the McKean County Department of Human Services. “Understanding their causes and the solutions to them will require a shared effort.
“Any investment, public or private, in access to quality and affordable childcare can produce benefits in many areas including the economy, child welfare, education and physical and mental health,” Wertz continued. “The economy grows when the labor force is free to participate, knowing their children are in good care when they are working.”
During a state capitol press conference June 11, Robert S. Carl Jr., president and CEO of the Schuylkill County Chamber of Commerce, underscored how low-wages within the childcare sector are fueling a historic teacher shortage, reducing the availability of child care and impacting employers in nearly every other sector across the state.
Bradford’s Growing with Grace Christian Preschool closed May 31 due to staffing shortages, citing an inability to pay competitive wages.
Jean Keltz, who taught at the school from its inception, said, “Parents were upset and tried to find a way to help us stay open, but if you can’t find workers there’s nothing we can do. People just don’t want to work for as little money as we make.
“We couldn’t get people who wanted to work until closing every day,” Keltz said. “We couldn’t keep anybody.”
Scrivo said, “Growing with Grace closing really hurt us (locally). Other facilities do not have enough openings to take on the Growing with Grace kids, at least not in Bradford.
“They had about 20 full-time kids. At that time, I called all the local facilities, and all together they had maybe five openings. So that’s 15 kids with no care.
“There is a huge need in Bradford,” Scrivo continued. “I’m sure people are leaving the workforce due to lack of care.”
Wertz said, “Increased access to dependable, quality caregivers can decrease risk of child abuse and neglect because household stressors are reduced and caregivers are properly vetted.”
A report from the nonprofit ReadyNation states the annual economic cost of both working mothers and fathers dealing with gaps in the state’s child care system is estimated at $6.65 billion.
McKean County families who may need assistance with finding alternative care can contact the Early Learning Resource Center 2 by phone at (814) 765-1546 or toll free (800) 442-5807 or by email at elrcregion2@pa.gov. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
