The Child Care Provider Wage Boost Program, funded in 2023 by the American Rescue Plan Act, helps eligible child care service providers with funding to bolster and preserve their existing programs in the form of a wage boost for early educators. This funding allows providers to retain or hire new employees at competitive rates. Providers who are approved for the program will be able to submit reimbursement requests to cover cost increases associated with either 1) increasing the hourly wages of existing employees, or 2) hiring new employees to meet increased child care demands.
A total of $1 million in funding is available for eligible providers, including up to $50,000 over two years per provider. The program will reimburse wage boost costs at 100% in the first year and 50% in the second year, but only up to the grant cap of $50,000.
Sources:
City of Scranton. (2023). ARPA Childcare Service Provider Grants.
City of Scranton. (2023). Notice of Funding Opportunity.
Connections to Key Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) Findings:
The early education workforce is the foundation upon which all daily work and any expansion and quality improvement efforts rest. Research suggests that states and cities should invest in the workforce across all early education setting types, focusing on enhancing educators’ professional learning, compensation, and workplace conditions.
Findings from the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) show:
- Early educators play a critical role in supporting the well-being of young children and families across setting types.
- Yet their pay, benefits, and other professional supports are often inadequate in light of the job demands and their cost of living.