Childcare subsidies provide assistance to families with limited financial resources for the cost of childcare, according to family size and income. Childcare subsidies are essential in increasing accessibility to affordable and quality childcare. Furthermore, with increased access to affordable childcare, parents are able to maintain employment and provide for their families. Under current regulation in Pennsylvania, a parent or caretaker must be notified within 13 calendar days prior to an action that affects the family’s eligibility status for subsidized childcare or a change in the amount of the family’s subsidized childcare benefit. However, a 13-day waiting period may not be an adequate period of time for some families to financially prepare for changes to subsidized childcare.

For this reason, I will be introducing legislation that would require a parent or caretaker to be notified within 30 calendar days prior to an action that would affect a family’s eligibility status or a change in the amount of the family’s subsidized childcare benefit. This additional time would allow families to financially prepare for increased costs of childcare.

As legislators it is important that we aim to improve subsidized childcare guidelines in order to ensure that the system is helpful to families who are in need. Please join me in co-sponsoring this legislation so we may provide adequate time to families whose subsidized childcare costs or eligibility are subject to change.