Children’s Village Joins Statewide Call to Strengthen the Child Care Workforce

On June 10, 2025, Children’s Village Executive Director Mary Graham served as Master of Ceremonies at the Workforce Behind the Workforce rally and press conference held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Rotunda. Hosted by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) and supported by the Start Strong PA campaign, the event spotlighted Pennsylvania’s worsening child care staffing crisis.

Mary joined state legislators and early education advocates in calling for increased investment in the early childhood workforce. As she noted, “Of the 1,140 programs surveyed, 92% reported challenges recruiting staff, and 85% are facing teacher shortages. These gaps leave more than 3,000 positions unfilled—limiting care for over 25,000 children across the state.”

Children’s Village Master Preschool Teacher Norma Bell, who joined CV in 1988, was also recognized for completing her Master’s in Education this May—an achievement supported by the TEACH Early Childhood® Scholarship Program, which helps working educators earn degrees while remaining in the classroom.

Speakers urged lawmakers to support Governor Shapiro’s proposed $55 million investment in child care workforce retention and echoed the results of a recent poll showing that 98% of Pennsylvania voters agree early childhood education is essential to a healthy and productive life.