"It is a great day when government and advocates can come together to make a difference in the lives of Pennsylvania families," said Governor Rendell. "These changes will help us ensure that we meet the needs of parents and children in the Commonwealth and that we are promoting a healthy early childhood and helping families connect with valuable early learning opportunities. Our administration worked hard to incorporate the concerns of families and advocates into these changes, and I applaud the leadership of Treasurer Casey, advocates, parents and early childhood programs on this issue."

The family-friendly changes that will be effective July 1 allow low-income parents who work part-time (20 hours a week) to have access to the program; encourage voluntary child support agreements for families; and streamline the application procedures and requirements. These and other important changes underscore the importance of accessible, stable, quality early childhood services.

"I am honored to have worked with families and children's advocates to have brought these important issues to the forefront and to be celebrating these changes with them today," Casey said. "I commend Governor Rendell and his staff for their leadership and their unwavering commitment to the children and families in this important program, and I honor the mothers and child care providers who led this fight for the past six years." In early 2000, Casey helped get the co-payments families paid for subsidized child care reduced.

Pennsylvania's subsidized child care program serves over 100,000 children on any given day. This program provides essential supports to working families who are striving to achieve self-sufficiency and provides children with access to safe, early learning opportunities to which they would otherwise not have access. Governor Rendell's proposed budget for FY 2005-06 continues to build this program, adding funds to support the participation of an additional 1,500 children and to improve payments to the dedicated child care providers in the subsidized child care program.

Those interested in applying for subsidized child care should call 1-800- 4PA-KIDS.

  CONTACT:   Kate Philips
             Governor's Office
             717-783-1116

             Karen Walsh
             Treasurer's Office
             717-787-2991

Source: Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

CONTACT: Kate Philips, Governor's Office, +1-717-783-1116; or Karen
Walsh, Treasurer's Office, +1-717-787-2991

Web site: http://www.state.pa.us/