Keystone Today

Gov. Tom Wolf (D-PA) and Department of Human Services Acting Secretary Meg Snead recently visited Kiddie Space Heights, where they highlighted the $25 million child care tax credit program that benefits thousands of working families statewide.

The funds are for the Child and Dependent Care Enhancement Program, which is modeled after a federal program, according to the governor's website. The program returns between $180 and $640 to working families with young children, with at least 221,000 families from Pennsylvania taking part. The state tax credit is for 30% of the federally approved expense, and those who qualify for the state program also qualify for the federal program.

“Pennsylvania’s hard-working families deserve the chance to succeed. That’s why I created this child care tax credit program,” Wolf said, according to his website. “With some money back in their pockets, they can work or go back to school while ensuring their children are thriving at a quality child care center.”

For households earning above $43,000, Pennsylvania families could be eligible for $180 for one child or $360 for two or more children. For those making less than $43,000, families could be eligible for $315 for one child or $630 for two or more.

During Wolf’s eight years in office, his administration has increased Pre-K Counts enrollment by 18,100 and also increased funding by $205 million. The Wolf administration has also increased the Head Start Supplemental enrollment by 3,400 and increased funding by $49 million; increased Child Care Works enrollment by 120,000 in 2022-23 and increased funding from $744 million to more than $1.25 billion; and issued $1.5 billion in federal COVID-19 relief funding for child care.

“High-quality early education programs help build a foundation for children’s learning and development, and for parents, knowing that they can afford high-quality, reliable care for their children while they are working is immeasurable,” Snead said, according to the governor's website. “This tax credit will help ease the affordability burden on lower income, working families, and we must do everything we can to continue supporting parents and children in the commonwealth so they can continue to benefit from the incredible, life-shaping work our child care industry does every day.”