This month, the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce convened a powerful roundtable discussion with a broad coalition of stakeholders — including local and state legislators, business leaders, child care providers, economic experts, and nonprofit advocates. The goal? To confront one of the most urgent and complex challenges facing our region today: the accessibility, affordability, and availability of quality child care.

This was not just another meeting — it was a clarion call for action on behalf of single mothers, working parents, and businesses throughout Westmoreland County who are grappling with a deepening crisis that threatens the backbone of our local economy. Together with Trying Together, local early education providers, and community leaders, they presented new survey data that underscores the severity of the problem: a worsening workforce shortage in the child care sector is shutting down classrooms, reducing capacity, and putting enormous pressure on families and employers alike.

Let me be clear: without bold, coordinated investment and policy change, we are jeopardizing not only the well-being of our children but the strength and future of our entire workforce.

The Scope of the Problem: Data That Demands Immediate Action

The numbers speak for themselves. A recent survey by Start Strong PA found that:

• 83% of Westmoreland County child care programs are reporting staffing shortages.
• 86% are struggling to recruit qualified teachers.
• 69 teaching positions remain unfilled, which means 747 children are currently without access to care in our county alone.

Zooming out across Pennsylvania:

• Of 1,140 responding programs, 3,038 teaching positions remain vacant.
• 25,320 children are without care due to insufficient staff.
• 92% of programs face recruitment challenges.
• 85% are battling ongoing teacher shortages.

It’s important to note that these numbers represent just 17.6% of certified child care programs statewide. Extrapolate that across the entire state, and the actual magnitude is staggering.

A Two-Sided Crisis: Demand and Supply

At the Westmoreland County Chamber, we understand this is a two-sided crisis. On the demand side, families face rising costs and limited access. We continue to advocate for enhancements to the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Tax Credit and the Child Care Tax Credit for Employers. These are essential tools for making child care more affordable for working families and helping businesses remain competitive.

But the deeper, more urgent challenge lies on the supply side — the persistent workforce shortage. We’re not short on children who need care — we’re short on professionals to care for them. Classrooms are sitting empty, not because of a lack of demand, but because we can’t staff them.

To address this, the Chamber has proudly joined over 70 local chambers across Pennsylvania in supporting the proposed $55 million investment in the 2025–2026 state budget for child care recruitment and retention. This funding would help licensed providers offer educators an additional $1,000 annually — a modest but meaningful step toward stabilizing the workforce and attracting more talent into this vital profession.

Why This Matters: Voices from the Front Lines

At the roundtable, we were honored to hear directly from providers like Eva Wood and Erin, who shared their daily realities through the “Day in the Life” photo story project. Their stories gave us a vivid, human perspective on the challenges faced by early childhood educators — low wages, high stress, and limited resources — yet an unwavering passion for the children they serve.

As Erin shared, “This isn’t just a child care issue. It’s an economic issue. It’s a workforce issue. It’s a family issue.” And she’s absolutely right.

When child care breaks down, parents are forced to make impossible choices. Businesses struggle with absenteeism and turnover. Communities lose out on growth. And children lose access to the nurturing environments that set them up for lifelong success.

The Economic Perspective: A Drag on Growth

Labor economist Dr. Kathryn Edwards, who spoke at our event, made a compelling case: the child care crisis is a drag on our economy. Without reliable child care, parents — especially mothers — are being pushed out of the workforce or forced to reduce hours. Employers are losing productivity, and our long-term talent pipeline is eroding.

Dr. Edwards emphasized that this crisis cannot be solved through market forces alone. Only meaningful public investment will produce the results our children, families, and economy so urgently need.

What Needs to Happen Next

Now is the time for our leaders in Harrisburg to act. The Chamber is calling on state policymakers to:

• Fund the proposed $55 million in the 2025–2026 state budget for the Child Care Recruitment and Retention Initiative.
• Expand tax credits for both working families and employers who invest in child care solutions.
• Invest in long-term workforce development for early childhood educators.

A March 2025 poll by Susquehanna Polling revealed that 98% of Pennsylvanians believe early education is critical, and 83% support state investment in recruiting and retaining teachers. The public is behind this. The need is clear. The time to act is now.

A Final Thought: Let’s Make This Happen — Together

To the parents struggling to balance jobs and care responsibilities — we see you.
To the employers challenged by workforce disruptions — we hear you.
To the educators choosing between their passion and a living wage — we stand with you.

This roundtable was only the beginning. The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce is committed to turning data into advocacy, and advocacy into action. Together — with our members, legislators, and community partners — we will continue to fight for a future where child care is accessible, educators are valued, and our economy is fueled by strong families and a resilient workforce.

Let’s make this happen — together.