Philadelphia Child Care Providers Finally Receive Long-Delayed Payments

Philadelphia-area child care providers have finally received their long-awaited payments from Pennsylvania, ending a delay that has persisted since June. These payments, in some cases amounting to thousands of dollars, were a crucial relief for providers who have been operating under financial strain.

Victoria Glover, who has managed Vicky’s Tiny Tot’s for over 18 years, expressed her frustration, saying, “We have never asked for special treatment, only what is owed to us for the services we provide to our communities and the families we serve.” She highlighted the financial pressures faced by child care providers, noting the regular business expenses they must meet.

This financial resolution marks a significant achievement for Child Care Providers United – Pennsylvania (CCPU-PA). The group had previously alerted the state about the missing payments and threatened to escalate the matter to the Pennsylvania Board of Claims if the issue was not resolved. The organization remains committed to holding both the commonwealth and Caring People Alliance, the vendor responsible for payments, accountable for their delays.

Tonya Sears, who has been serving Philadelphia families for 12 years, emphasized the impact of the payment delays. “It’s unacceptable that it’s taken nearly five months for these wrongs to be righted,” she said. “No one should have to work without a paycheck.” Sears, one of the affected providers, cited a technical error as the reason for the withheld payments and noted the challenges faced by providers who had to close their doors during this period.

As the child care sector faces a crisis, costing Pennsylvania $6.65 billion annually due to limited options, CCPU-PA advocates for solutions that encourage more providers to open rather than close. They stress the importance of involving providers in policy decisions and negotiations for a revised memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the state.

Kathy Pugh, another child care provider, expressed hope that state officials, including Governor Josh Shapiro and the Office of Child Development and Early Learning, will collaborate with providers to prevent future issues. “Our industry is in crisis. We need more providers out here supporting our children and families, not less,” Pugh stated, underscoring the economic implications for Pennsylvania.