Disabled children are being kicked out of preschools at alarming rates, report finds While excluding a child from preschool due to developmental delays or disabilities is forbidden under Pennsylvania and federal law, a report said it's still a common practice that is often hidden.

The recent Philadelphia Inquirer story highlights a real issue: preschoolers with disabilities being excluded from care. But blaming childcare providers misses the bigger truth. Too often, it’s a broken system failing children, families, & the programs trying to serve them. share.inquirer.com/IJiLxc

PACCA Executive Director, Diane Barber, recently shared her thoughts on why “𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘔𝘢𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴: 𝘔𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘪𝘴 𝘈𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘉𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘨" in ChildCareOwner.com's Spring issue.

Questions? Click here to contact a TEACH Counselor. www.pacca.org/contact_teac...

𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗛 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘂𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿 & 𝗙𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲!
Help early childhood educators grow—and strengthen programs—by encouraging them to apply for TEACH! Summer 2026: Friday, April 10 (Semesters begin mid-May through early July); Fall 2026: Friday, July 11 (Semester begins mid-late August)

Who said snowstorm? That didn't stop over 25 Pennsylvania early childhood advocates from attending the NAEYC Public Policy Forum in DC this week. Joining the PA team were Danielle Olson and Kim Bastian from PACCA.

Take Action — Start Strong PA Start Strong PA wants to give children a quality educational foundation by providing our youngest children with access to high-quality child care that their families can afford.

Governor Shapiro's proposed investments in early learning FY 26-27 growing Child Care Recruitment & Retention program by $10 million; $7.5 million for Pre-K Counts and over $2 million for Head Start recognizing the need to compensate our early educators fairly. startstrongpa.org/take-action.

Take Action — Start Strong PA Start Strong PA wants to give children a quality educational foundation by providing our youngest children with access to high-quality child care that their families can afford.

PA House passed HB 1330 -- FY 2025-2026 Budget Monday which includes Governor Shapiro’s proposed investments in the child care workforce. Next the PA Senate. We have ONLY a SHORT TIME to make a difference. Join us. startstrongpa.org/take-action

It was bad in COVID, but in the last 4 wks, 7 child care programs shared they are closing. They have done everything to attract staff, keep classrooms open & provide support to families. The final PA budget must include: $55 million for Child Care Teacher Recruitment & Retention & funding for Pre-K.

Another busy day in the Capitol -- advocating for our early educators and introducing photo and story map -- helping them tell their own stories in support of the $55M in recruitment & retention funds. Trying Together, PennAEYC, First Up and many others. #RaiseChildCare #workforcebehindtheworkforce

Please join us for a special webinar focusing on:

🔺advocating for early learning in the 2025-26 PA state budget
🔺PA state legislation updates
🔺federal advocacy update and opportunities for child care

Join our team! PACCA is hiring an Advocacy Manager!
www.pacca.org/docs/Advocac...

ACLU sues to halt Trump administration attacks on Head Start child-care program The ACLU sued on behalf of early childhood groups to stop the Trump administration from further disrupting Head Start child-care centers without action by Congress.

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓
The American Civil Liberties Union, on behalf of 6 early childhood organizations sued the Trump administration Monday to halt the dismantling of Head Start & restore cuts to the program, alleging that the actions required congressional approval. actionnetwork.org/letters/prot...

Join Us. We need the General Assembly to support the Governor's proposal of at least $55 million and a new line item for our child care teachers. startstrongpa.org/take-action
#investinchildchildcare #ChildCareNow #RaiseChildCare #childcareworks #theworkforcebehindtheworkforce #childcarestrong

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓
Reports indicate President Trump’s budget proposal would eliminate funding for Head Start. Head Start supports children & their families to grow, learn & thrive. Join us in urging Congress to protect Head Start.
actionnetwork.org/letters/prot...

𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐒 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐓
A measles outbreak has been declared in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is now one of eight states with active outbreaks of the highly contagious and vaccine-preventable disease. Check out this fact sheet from the PA Department of Health.
www.pa.gov/.../diseases...