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The Economic Impact Calculator is based on PA labor statistics and was created to help your business estimate financial losses due to your workforces' lack of adequate child care.

Employee Assistance Programs offer counseling, mental health support, legal and financial guidance, and child care referrals. This resource explains why EAP usage stays low and how employers can modernize programs to better support stressed, overwhelmed workers.

Creative Child Care Solutions helps employers identify and address the child care needs of their employees. As a leader in Pennsylvania's early childhood education field, Creative Child Care Solutions recognizes that businesses and organizations are consistently looking for ways to attract and retain qualified staff.

This free PA Economic Impact Calculator helps businesses estimate financial losses tied to employees' lack of reliable child care. Replace pre-loaded state averages with your own data to see how child care gaps affect absenteeism, productivity, hiring, and retention.

EAPs can reduce stress, depression, and workplace issues, yet many employees don't use them. Learn why misconceptions, stigma, and poor communication limit participation—and what employers can do to build trust and boost awareness.

These examples explore successful initiatives, created with available resources in the Business Toolkit, that were custom-crafted to meet local child care needs for communities and workforces. Use these as a model to inspire your own approach and explore practical solutions that will benefit your business.

Explore a full menu of child-care support strategies employers can offer, including FSAs, subsidies, flexible schedules, EAPs, contracted slots, backup care, and partnerships with local providers. A quick guide to building family-friendly workplaces.

This resource gives executives a clear path to address child-care needs in their workforce. It explains options for supporting parents, offers guidance for nontraditional schedules, and shows how to move from ideas to action.

Many employers want to support frontline workers with childcare but aren't sure where to start. This briefing explains the landscape, key considerations for leaders, and actionable steps to help working parents succeed.

This factsheet explains cafeteria benefits, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care FSAs—how they work, who has access, and how pre-tax contributions can help employees lower costs for health care and child or elder care.

Flexible scheduling isn't just a family-friendly perk. It's a business strategy. Learn how offering flexible work hours can help employers boost retention, improve productivity, and strengthen trust across their workforce.

Pennsylvania's early childhood education system can be confusing to families and employers. The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission created a one-page guide to help define and clarify key services and agencies.

Understanding how child care costs factor in to your employees' household budget and other expenses, can help you to better understand the wage level and benefits that would allow them to support their family's needs.

This guide shows how child care and the Community Reinvestment Act intersect. Learn why ECE is considered community development, how banks can invest in child care, and how stronger child care systems benefit families and local economies.

Learn what an Employee Assistance Program is, how it supports workers facing personal or family challenges, and how small businesses can choose the right provider. This guide walks employers through setup, benefits, and ways to promote EAP use.

This toolkit from the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning is for people who are considering opening a child care facility. It offers guidance from start to certified completion.

Learn how employers can implement flexible work arrangements that support productivity and employee well-being. This resource outlines best practices, policy considerations, and strategies to help workers balance job demands with caregiving needs.

Discover how child care benefits boost retention, reduce absences, and deliver up to 425% ROI. This report highlights real employers proving that supporting working parents strengthens culture, productivity, and the bottom line.

This national association strengthens cooperative businesses that support community wellbeing and economic growth. Learn how co-ops improve access to essential services, empower members, and create more resilient local systems.

When child care falls through, who catches your employees? Child care breakdowns are one of the leading causes of absenteeism among working parents. For employers committed to supporting their workforce and staying competitive in today's labor market, backup child care is a strategic investment.

The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission (PA ELIC) and the PA Chamber of Business & Industry have once again teamed up to collect information on the impact of child care issues on Pennsylvania businesses and its workforce to release a new report.

Discover how small businesses in PA can afford paid parental leave using smart strategies and tax credits. Support your team - start building your policy today!

As you consider what kind of child care support to offer, a key first step is understanding your employees' needs. That's why we've provided a sample survey for you to share with your employees to determine what kind of support would be most beneficial to them.

This resource shows how unpredictable, low-wage work schedules make it harder for parents to secure child care and support their children's well-being. Learn how fair scheduling practices can reduce stress, stabilize income, and improve outcomes for families.

Small businesses can make a big difference simply by understanding what resources exist for their working families with young children and making that information readily available.

This roadmap from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation helps senior leaders and business owners learn their options for supporting working parents with their child care needs. It is also intended to help leaders understand what to expect when embarking on this journey and how to take action.

Explore the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's practical roadmap for employers looking to support working families through child care vouchers or subsidies. This guide walks you step-by-step through what to offer, how to launch a program, and the business benefits you can expect along the way.

Unpredictable retail and food service schedules—on-call shifts and last-minute changes—leave parents scrambling for child care. This study shows how unstable work hours lead to lower-quality arrangements and why schedule stability benefits kids.

ReadyNation and the Council for a Strong America's "2.4 Billion: The Annual Cost of PA's Child Care Crisis for Working Mothers" details the amount lost in earnings, productivity, and tax revenue due to gaps in the child care system.

For Pennsylvania, inadequate child care options impose substantial and long-lasting consequences. The verdict: an annual economic cost of $6.65 billion in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.

See how Pennsylvania's 4th grade reading scores compare to national averages and past years. The report breaks down proficiency levels, trends, demographic score gaps, and how different student groups performed in 2019.

Pennsylvania families face some of the nation's toughest child-care costs. Infant care in centers tops $12K a year, far exceeding the federal affordability standard and often outpacing housing or tuition bills.

Learn how limited child care during the pandemic forced many PA families to reduce hours or leave jobs—and how employers felt the impact. This report outlines key survey findings and the growing need for child-care support in the workplace.

EAPs can reduce stress, depression, and workplace issues, yet many employees don't use them. Learn why misconceptions, stigma, and poor communication limit participation—and what employers can do to build trust and boost awareness.

This study shows how perceived pregnancy discrimination increases maternal stress, leading to higher postpartum depression and negative infant outcomes like lower birth weight and more medical visits. A powerful look at why supportive workplaces matter.

Many employers want to support frontline workers with childcare but aren't sure where to start. This briefing explains the landscape, key considerations for leaders, and actionable steps to help working parents succeed.

This report summarizes a 2021 national survey of households with children, revealing high rates of lost savings, trouble paying for basics and rent, difficulty accessing child care and preschool, significant learning loss, and rising anxiety and stress among kids during the COVID-19 delta wave.

This factsheet explains cafeteria benefits, flexible spending accounts, and dependent care FSAs—how they work, who has access, and how pre-tax contributions can help employees lower costs for health care and child or elder care.

Explore how child care costs strain ALICE households in Pennsylvania. This resource highlights rising tuition, low wages for early learning workers, and why increased funding is critical to help families access reliable, high-quality care.

Learn about guidelines, recommendations, and data related to breastfeeding. Also learn reasons why mothers stop breastfeeding earlier than they intended and how to support them.

This report highlights the real challenges pregnant workers and new mothers face on the job—from denied accommodations to bias, reduced hours, and breastfeeding barriers. Explore national data on what families experience and what policies are needed to support them.

Despite economic recovery, 1.8 million fewer women are working than before COVID-19. This piece highlights the caregiving pressures, safety concerns, and career transitions that continue to keep many women at home.

This report shows how child care challenges impact Pennsylvania businesses. Learn where employer supports fall short, what solutions workers need, and how interested companies are in site-based or statewide child care strategies.

This report will delve into three priority areas, highlighting the issues that demand urgent action. Moreover, we will provide recommendations to address the challenges in these priority areas, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for all children and families in early learning programs.

According to the United Way of Pennsylvania, roughly one in three families are financially strained working families known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

There is no doubt that high-quality early childhood education (ECE) is a win for everyone - children, parents, employers, and our economy. Yet this critical sector is on the brink of a breakdown.

Professor Heckman's research shows that early childhood programs from birth to age five offer a 13% annual ROI—higher than preschool alone. Learn how these programs improve education, health, social behavior, and lifelong earning potential.

Having a better understanding of the early learning needs in your community, can help to address the need for affordable, quality early childhood care and education for all children in Pennsylvania.

This report looks deeper at Pennsylvania's child care and pre-k system complexities and recommends the improvements necessary to ensure the system functions equitably and increases access and affordability for all families in the commonwealth.

Child care challenges are forcing millions of mothers to cut hours, turn down promotions, or leave their jobs entirely. Using national survey data, this report shows how better access to reliable, affordable child care would boost women's employment, family income, and the overall economy.

This report highlights ACT performance, STEM interest, and career readiness among Pennsylvania's 2019 graduates. See trends in test scores, college readiness benchmarks, STEM engagement, and the state's postsecondary outcomes.

This report details the high cost of child care in Pennsylvania—where infant care rivals rent and tuition, and low-wage workers must work nearly a full year just to cover care. Learn how affordability challenges affect families, workers, and the economy.

Pennsylvania's child care crisis now carries a $6.65B yearly price tag, driven by parent absences, employer productivity loss, and long-term impacts on children. High costs, limited access, and quality shortages leave families struggling and employers unable to rely on a stable workforce.

Early childhood educators are the workforce behind the workforce. However, child care providers in Pennsylvania earn less than $13 an hour.

A 2021 survey found child care breakdowns cost PA employers heavily—54% lost workers and 38% saw high child care need. Most had no system to gauge needs and were unaware of available resources, though many want better ways to support working families.

Topline Report Findings from 2023: $6.65 BILLION, The Growing Cost of Pennsylvania's Child Care Crisis, and The High Cost of Work in Early Childhood Education (A workforce on the brink of collapse).

This brief explains the core science behind early brain development and why the birth-to-five period shapes future learning, health, and economic outcomes. A clear look at how early investment strengthens communities and long-term prosperity.

The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at UC Berkeley and Child Care Aware® of America teamed up to create a new video that explains why parents cannot afford to pay and educators cannot afford to stay and proposes a solution for a better way to support children, their families, and early educators.

Unpredictable retail and food service schedules—on-call shifts and last-minute changes—leave parents scrambling for child care. This study shows how unstable work hours lead to lower-quality arrangements and why schedule stability benefits kids.

Child care is consuming a growing share of family income. Low-income working parents spend more than one-third of what they earn, and many juggle multiple care arrangements. This brief explains why costs are rising and who is most affected.

Families that need to connect with resources in their community but don't know where to look can call or text PA 211. PA 211 can help with utilities bills, housing assistance, after-school programs for kids, and more.

Learn about breastfeeding benefits, statewide support programs, and workplace rights. This resource offers county-specific help, lactation support, milk bank info, and guidance for breastfeeding after returning to work.

Child Care Works helps eligible Pennsylvania families pay for child care while they work or attend school. Learn how subsidies, co-pays, and local ELRC offices support you, who qualifies, and how to apply for assistance.

Find child care and other early learning programs near you. You have options when it comes to the care for your child. Whether you need child care or another early learning program, you can find it here.

Curious how much a Dependent Care FSA could save your family? Enter your expenses to estimate yearly tax savings and compare your options with the federal child and dependent care tax credit.

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (Pre-K Counts) provides quality half-day and full-day pre-kindergarten to eligible 3 and 4 year olds in Pennsylvania.

Get a clearer picture of economic security in your area. The Family Budget Calculator details the income families need to cover essentials like child care, housing, food, and health care for 10 family types across every county and metro region.

Pennsylvania's early childhood education system can be confusing to families and employers. The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission created a one-page guide to help define and clarify key services and agencies.

Choosing child care for the young children in your life can be less stressful if you know what to look for when determining whether or not a program is "high-quality." Start Strong PA offers an easy to access fact sheet.

Choosing child care for the young children in your life can be less stressful if you know what to look for when determining whether or not a program is "high-quality".

All children born in 2019 and after to PA residents, including children who are adopted, have a Keystone Scholars account in their name with $100 for postsecondary education expenses.

Use the Living Wage Calculator to see the real cost of basic needs where you live. Explore living wages for 12 family types across every county and metro area, and understand what it truly takes for workers and families to meet essential expenses.

The rising cost of childcare is making life impossible for parents. Use the MarketWatch calculator to track the expense where you live.

PA Navigate helps families find child care, housing support, food resources, transportation aid, and other services in one place. Use this tool to quickly connect with local programs that make daily life more stable and manageable.

Returning to work after maternity leave is a big transition for new moms, with a range of emotions. This guide offers practical advice on preparing for your return, managing emotions, and finding support—along with resources like the Working Families Toolkit for Pennsylvania families

The Economic Impact Calculator is based on PA labor statistics and was created to help your business estimate financial losses due to your workforces' lack of adequate child care.

Curious how much a Dependent Care FSA could save your family? Enter your expenses to estimate yearly tax savings and compare your options with the federal child and dependent care tax credit.

This free PA Economic Impact Calculator helps businesses estimate financial losses tied to employees' lack of reliable child care. Replace pre-loaded state averages with your own data to see how child care gaps affect absenteeism, productivity, hiring, and retention.

Get a clearer picture of economic security in your area. The Family Budget Calculator details the income families need to cover essentials like child care, housing, food, and health care for 10 family types across every county and metro region.

Use the Living Wage Calculator to see the real cost of basic needs where you live. Explore living wages for 12 family types across every county and metro area, and understand what it truly takes for workers and families to meet essential expenses.

The rising cost of childcare is making life impossible for parents. Use the MarketWatch calculator to track the expense where you live.

As you consider what kind of child care support to offer, a key first step is understanding your employees' needs. That's why we've provided a sample survey for you to share with your employees to determine what kind of support would be most beneficial to them.

Explore the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's practical roadmap for employers looking to support working families through child care vouchers or subsidies. This guide walks you step-by-step through what to offer, how to launch a program, and the business benefits you can expect along the way.

This study shows how perceived pregnancy discrimination increases maternal stress, leading to higher postpartum depression and negative infant outcomes like lower birth weight and more medical visits. A powerful look at why supportive workplaces matter.

Governor Shapiro renewed Executive Order 2023-22, reinforcing PA ELIC's mission, with Lt. Governor Austin Davis named co-chair. Learn more about this leadership update and its impact on early learning policy.

This guide shows how child care and the Community Reinvestment Act intersect. Learn why ECE is considered community development, how banks can invest in child care, and how stronger child care systems benefit families and local economies.

When businesses invest in child care, they see results. Parents who have access to high-quality care are more productive, and businesses that offer child care and family-friendly policies are better able to attract and retain talent.

Each year, The Early Learning Investment Commission celebrates PA employers that demonstrate excellent and innovative child care practices that support working families.

Despite economic recovery, 1.8 million fewer women are working than before COVID-19. This piece highlights the caregiving pressures, safety concerns, and career transitions that continue to keep many women at home.

This national association strengthens cooperative businesses that support community wellbeing and economic growth. Learn how co-ops improve access to essential services, empower members, and create more resilient local systems.

This report will delve into three priority areas, highlighting the issues that demand urgent action. Moreover, we will provide recommendations to address the challenges in these priority areas, ensuring equitable access and opportunities for all children and families in early learning programs.

There is no doubt that high-quality early childhood education (ECE) is a win for everyone - children, parents, employers, and our economy. Yet this critical sector is on the brink of a breakdown.

Professor Heckman's research shows that early childhood programs from birth to age five offer a 13% annual ROI—higher than preschool alone. Learn how these programs improve education, health, social behavior, and lifelong earning potential.

This resource shows how unpredictable, low-wage work schedules make it harder for parents to secure child care and support their children's well-being. Learn how fair scheduling practices can reduce stress, stabilize income, and improve outcomes for families.

Having a better understanding of the early learning needs in your community, can help to address the need for affordable, quality early childhood care and education for all children in Pennsylvania.

This report looks deeper at Pennsylvania's child care and pre-k system complexities and recommends the improvements necessary to ensure the system functions equitably and increases access and affordability for all families in the commonwealth.

Child care challenges are forcing millions of mothers to cut hours, turn down promotions, or leave their jobs entirely. Using national survey data, this report shows how better access to reliable, affordable child care would boost women's employment, family income, and the overall economy.

This brief explains the core science behind early brain development and why the birth-to-five period shapes future learning, health, and economic outcomes. A clear look at how early investment strengthens communities and long-term prosperity.

The Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at UC Berkeley and Child Care Aware® of America teamed up to create a new video that explains why parents cannot afford to pay and educators cannot afford to stay and proposes a solution for a better way to support children, their families, and early educators.