ECGRA, Erie County invest nearly $1 million to address shortage of early childhood educators
The Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority awarded nearly $1 million in grants May 22 to help 59 child care providers recruit and retain qualified educators.
ECGRA Executive Director Perry Wood said the grants ― the Early Childhood Educator Retention Awards ― serve to boost a vital sector in Erie County that's long been underfunded and understaffed.
'According to Start Strong PA, there are currently 93 unfilled early childhood educator positions in Erie County. If filled, these roles could serve 744 more children,' Wood said at a check presentation Thursday at St. Martin Early Learning Center.
'That's why these grants are so important. They represent a crucial step forward in supporting the dedicated professionals who care for and educate our young learners.'
The $991,785 in grants were funded by a $2.5 million investment of American Rescue Plan funds from Erie County government. ECGRA has also provided a $2.5 million match in gaming revenue for a collective $5 million child care investment.
'An investment in child care is an investment in workforce development ― that is economic development,' said Erie County Executive Brenton Davis. 'Without parents being able to become dual income families, we're unable to lift our community up the economic mobility ladder.'
Thursday's investment represents the first phase of a broader, multi-step initiative to strengthen Erie County's early learning infrastructure, according to ECGRA.
Kenya Johnson, owner of Learning Ladder Early Child Care, said the grants will have a 'real and meaningful' impact on her center, both in terms of retaining quality teachers and giving them some much-needed recognition.
'For many of them, this extra income will make a difference in their personal lives ― paying bills, putting gas in their car, covering groceries and that all matters,' she said. 'But beyond the money, it's the message that came with it. That message says: We see you, we appreciate you and we want to keep you here doing what you do best.'
Asha Graeb, director of the St. Martin Early Learning Center, added that early childhood educators often have limited support and resources despite the crucial role they play in a child's life.
'Our teachers work every day to create safe, nurturing environments where children can build confidence, spark curiosity and learn compassion,' she said.
A Child's World Daycare & Learning; $23,683
Annie's Bubble Care; $6,459
Barb's Care A Lot; $19,377
Barbs Family Learning Group Daycare LLC; $6,459
Boro Babies Child Care Center; $9,689
Bright Horizons at Erie; $29,066
Corry Alliance Childcare Learning Center; $8,074
Creative Learning Childcare – iRock; $35,525
Cuddle Time Daycare; $1,077
Dr Gertrude Barber Corry; $12,918
Dr Gertrude Barber Happy Hearts; $46,290
Eagles Nest Group Daycare; $6,459
Early Connections City Center; $16,148
Early Connections Harbor Homes Early Learning Center; $6,459
Early Connections North East; $6,459
Early Connections Union City; $23,683
Early Learning Center; $19,377
Early Learning University; $24,760
Eastside YMCA; $33,372
Elk Valley Elementary YMCA; $9,689
EPS Pennbriar Childcare LLC; $16,417
Erie First Early Education Center; $11,303
Fit Kids; $10,227
Glenwood YMCA; $17,224
Growing and Learning Center; $43,060
Handled with Care; $37,678
I Love It Daycare Learning Center; $15,071
Javonne Beason; $1,077
Jumpstart Early Learning Center LLC; $6,459
KinderCare 1279; $8,612
Learning Ladder; $18,301
Little Explorers Christian Academy; $5,378
Lollipop U Daycare; $8,612
McKean Elementary YMCA; $2,153
Milestones Early Learning Academy; $13,995
Milestones Early Learning Center; $21,530
Miss Julies Childcare; $11,842
Miss Rose's Learning Center; $8,612
Montessori in the Woods; $9,150
My Terra Village; $4,844
New Horizons Early Learning Center; $10,750
Northwestern YMCA; $8,612
Playway Loving Childcare Center LLC; $5,383
Saint Benedict Center; $52,749
Saint Vincent Child Care Center; $34,448
South Hills Child Development Center; $37,139
St. Martin Early Learning Center; $76,432
St. Paul's Child Development Center; $24,760
Summit YMCA; $6,459
Teresa Jordan; $6,000
The International Institute of Erie; $10,765
Tracy Heutsche; $4,844
Twinkle Time Child Care Center; $5,921
Waterford YMCA; $10,765
Wattsburg Elementary YMCA; $9,688
World of Care; $12,918
YMCA Camp Sherwin; $2,153
YMCA of Corry Daycare; $47,366
Young Environment; $20,992
A.J. Rao can be reached at arao@gannett.com. Follow him on X @ETNRao.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: 59 Erie County child care providers receive $1 million in grants
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