The staff of 25 at JB’s Bright Beginnings in North Huntingdon has their hands full, encouraging the development of 100 children while parents work.

They could do more — the child care center is licensed for 350 children — but a lack of staff for a job that has wages half that of school teachers has left the industry in a crisis, said Brie Rice, program specialist.

It’s one that can have a trickle-down effect for the current and future workforce, as well as the economy.

“We’re the business that backs your business,” she said. “If we can’t stay in business, then what’s going to happen to your business eventually?”

That’s why advocacy group Trying Together is asking state lawmakers to create a $284 million recruitment and retention program to help the child care industry. The money could be distributed as grants and centers could decide how to use it, such as for benefits or bonuses, said Emily Neff, director of public policy for Trying Together. They’re also asking lawmakers to support a proposal to increase subsidy rates.

Families that meet income requirements can have their child care subsidized. Other families pay out of pocket, an average of $11,346 annually in Pennsylvania, according to the 2023 Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Kids Count Data Book.

Local business leaders met with representatives of state lawmakers Friday to discuss the issue at the Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce. Dan DeBone, chamber president and chief executive officer, said a survey of county businesses found that 84% reported employees have had issues with finding child care to align with their work schedules.

He said he regularly hears from businesses that have trouble filling jobs because of issues related to child care.

“If parents don’t have a safe place for their children to go, they’re not going to be able to go to work and be as productive,” Neff said. “It’s critical for the modern day workforce and it’s critical for the development of our children who will be the future of the workforce.”

Employers who participated in the discussion reported that job offers have been turned down because the prospective employee couldn’t find child care or the pay wouldn’t have covered those costs. Some employees have opted to work from home to save on child care costs, but their productivity and career advancement opportunities aren’t as robust as working in an office setting.

Katelyn Printz, human resources director for Independence Health System, said child care is an issue not just for entry-level workers but also for highly compensated staff. Having a child might mean the end of their employment.

“A lot of them don’t come back to work,” she said.

At JB’s Bright Beginnings, staff members are highly educated, with about half having college degrees. They make lesson plans and do educational assessments on their charges to help with development. The average hourly wage is $12.75.

“The only reason that staff is able to stay there is because they have husbands who support their families,” Rice said. “If we’re not taking care of (the children) and developing them now, what’s the workforce going to look like in 20 years when they are applying for your jobs?”

The center raised rates recently. There is a wait list of 175 families.

“They can’t afford to pay us more, but we can’t afford not to get more,” Rice said.

The trickle-down effect of a child care industry crisis can be multifaceted — it can impact a parent trying to get into the workforce to support their family, a future worker’s ability to be employed and the state’s economy in lost wages and taxes.

It’s what chamber board member Tom Chakurda, who also is chief marketing and communications officer with Independence Health System, described as a quiet dilemma. He and Rice agreed that informing the public about potential workforce impacts in the future is important.

“Whether you have children or not, this is going to have a ripple effect and ultimately affect society,” Chakurda said.

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