Allegheny County childcare centers get $600,000 boost

ALLEGHENY COUNTY, Pa. — Finding affordable, quality childcare has become quite a struggle for families, with many trying to figure out how they’re going to make it work.

Wednesday morning, Representative Chris Deluzio (D – 17th Congressional district) announced a major investment in our area that could help: $600,000 of federal money earmarked for childcare centers in Allegheny County.

Rep. Deluzio presented a check to the Early Excellence Project (EEP) to help the nonprofit with its efforts to stabilize and support local providers and their employees. Deluzio said they are sacrificing their own bottom line in fear of outpricing families.

“Many of these people love their jobs, love the kids they care for and watch them grow up, but they’re still struggling to get by and afford to stay in these positions,” Deluzio said.

“I hope we can just take this and spread this love all through the county,” said Mayor Dontae Comans of Wilkinsburg

Deluzio says the money has the potential to help reduce turnover, since it will be used to help centers achieve accreditation.

“Once received, this accreditation allows centers to receive additional funding per child. The benefits include the ability to recruit more quality staff because the ability to offer more competitive wages,” said Tierra Porter from the Each One Teach One Learning Center.

The EEP said centers from across the county can apply, with special consideration given to those in low-income areas and that meet other criteria.

“Another is diversity. We look at diversity in a number of ways. We look for you to be serving 70% black, brown, or immigrant population to qualify for this endeavor,” said Lyasha Bishop, EEP executive director.

To find out more about the EEP, visit its website here: https://www.earlyexcellenceproject.org/

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

©2023 Cox Media Group