Mercer Co. child care providers get $2.2 million to stabilize operations

Mercer County child care providers are receiving more than $2.2 million in federal funding to help them reopen their doors and return to full capacity.
State Rep. Mark Longietti said the funding under the American Rescue Plan Act will provide grants to 24 area providers ranging from approximately $5,000 to more than $290,000.
"Pandemic-related shutdowns and declining enrollments have had a devastating impact on child care providers in our community, and it's an issue that is not only hurting these business owners and their families but also complicating plans for working parents trying to return to the workplace.
"This funding – which providers can use for operating expenses, personnel and program costs, equipment and supplies, and reimbursement for past COVID-19-related expenses – will help stabilize operations for these businesses that play such a key role for our community."
According to the state Department of Human Services, which administers the funding, providers will receive the funding in six monthly installments and must use it within nine months after their applications were approved. Centers also must report to DHS on how the funding is spent.
The 24 providers receiving money are:
- A Mothers Touch Center for Child Development, SHARON - $32,453.00
- BUILDING BLOCKS CHILD CENTER INC, HERMITAGE - $290,760.00
- BULLFROGS & BUTTERFLIES, GREENVILLE - $113,668.00
- CHILDRENS AID SOCIETY OF MERCER CO CHILD CARE CTR, MERCER - $112,350.00
- Children's Center of Mercer County, HERMITAGE - $193,401.00
- CHRISTIAN KOLLEGE 4 KIDZ, FARRELL - $23,722.00
- CREATIVE PRESCHOOL AND DAYCARE, SHARPSVILLE - $252,458.00
- DREAM BUILDERS CHILD CARE LLC, HERMITAGE - $132,613.00
- JUDITH A ECKLER FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, GREENVILLE - $4,943.00
- KID ZONE LEARNING CENTER OF HERMITAGE, HERMITAGE - $229,478.00
- KRISTIN PAOLETTAS BAREFOOT DAYCARE, SHARON - $25,699.00
- LEAH LENZI'S DAYCARE, FARRELL - $9,885.00
- LILA L WRIGHT FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, FARRELL - $9,720.00
- MICHELLE KOCIS FAMILY DAYCARE, HERMITAGE - $12,850.00
- Ms. Diannes Daycare, FARRELL - $25,699.00
- ROBYN M ALLEN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME, HERMITAGE - $6,425.00
- Sheffield's Family Childcare Home, FARRELL - $31,630.00
- SHERMAN GROUP DAYCARE, GREENVILLE - $19,769.00
- SHERRY CHRISTNERS HOME DAYCARE, SHARON - $40,690.00
- TENDER CARE LEARNING CENTER-HERMITAGE, HERMITAGE - $140,438.00
- THE F H BUHL CLUB, SHARON - $145,298.00
- The Sycamore Center, HERMITAGE - $61,694.00
- Wee Wisdom Preschool & Child Development Ctr LLC, HERMITAGE - $184,505.00
- ZION EDUCATION CENTER, FARRELL - $107,491.00
The American Rescue Plan Act provided $24 billion to states nationwide to stabilize the child care sector.
The local grants are part of a package of $628.5 million in approved ARPA funding to child care providers in Pennsylvania.