Advocacy

New national research underscores urgent need for continued federal and state investments in child care sector

HARRISBURG — The Center for Rural Pennsylvania Board of Directors, alongside the Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission, held an inaugural press conference at the Erie Crossroads Conference Center at the Pennsylvania Farm Show Complex and Expo Center in Harrisburg.

• Access to quality child care is crucial for economic growth and small business sustainability, reducing employee absenteeism and boosting productivity.
• Employers, including big brands like Patagonia, are finding innovative ways to offer childcare solutions, enhancing hiring and retention.
• Small businesses can support childcare by partnering with local centers, offering discounts, or supporting community programs, benefiting families and the economy.
• Investing in childcare creates jobs within the sector, stimulates local economies, and fosters a sense of community.
• Offering childcare support can lead to long-term savings for businesses by reducing turnover and fostering a more dedicated workforce, making it an economic imperative.

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Pennsylvania employers already pay some of the highest UC taxes in the entire country to finance one of the nation's more generous unemployment systems. These benefits are meant to help Pennsylvanians who lose their jobs through no fault of their own while they search for other employment; extending them to individuals who voluntarily participate in a work stoppage is wildly inappropriate.