child care to a few days a week, or taking their children to work. Some parents also shared that older relatives were not always able to meet the physical or developmental needs of their young children.
The ongoing struggle to access stable child care places a significant emotional burden on families . In the ACCM Pilot Program Evaluation focus groups, many parents reported that child care challenges negatively affect their mental health, often leaving them feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and uncertain about the future. For some, the challenge of balancing work and care responsibilities—particularly for those working from home—created a sense of constant pressure and isolation. Others pointed to financial strain as a major source of anxiety. Unexpected child care expenses, over-drafted bank accounts, and the fear of depleting savings left parents feeling on edge and unsure of how to make ends meet. Parents also described the emotional toll for other family members who cared for their children, especially for older caregivers who struggled to balance caregiving responsibilities with their own needs and other responsibilities. Employment and Workforce Development Challenges Parents in Allegheny County struggle to balance employment and providing care for their children. In 2023 , more than half of Pennsylvania’s parents said problems with child care hurt their efforts at work— leading them to miss full days of work, leave work early, or be distracted. xiii In the same year, when Allegheny County parents were asked what actions the county should take to help people access good jobs, residents responded that the county should prioritize expanding supportive services that help people get to work, such as free or low-cost transportation and free or low-cost child care options. xiv In the ACCM Pilot Program Evaluation focus groups, many parents echoed these challenges—often describing needing child care in order to work, but not earning enough money to afford regulated child care. Other parents shared that child care challenges led them to miss work, consistently show up late, or care for their children while working—to the point where they feared losing their jobs. Challenges with child care also prevent parents from advancing their careers. In 2024, mothers in Pennsylvania reported that child care problems curtailed their career opportunities. Specifically, 38 percent of mothers reported turning down a new job offer and about one-third reported turning down further education or training. xv In the ACCM Pilot Program Evaluation focus groups, parents discussed forgoing career opportunities or being underemployed so that they could provide care for their children. Other parents reported considering major changes to their career trajectories—such as leaving school or leaving the labor force altogether . Finally, some parents even considered changing their jobs—either to earn less money so they could qualify for the CCW subsidy or to provide part time care for their children. These struggles impose significant burdens on employers . Allegheny County serves as a hub for health care, higher education, professional services, finance, and manufacturing industries that rely on parents for many of these jobs. However, research suggests that across Pennsylvania, businesses lose $1.52 billion each year due to child care challenges that disrupt and distract parents from work. xvi The ACCM Pilot Program Evaluation focus groups confirmed this reality with multiple parents highlighting how their child care challenges were perceived negatively by employers and sometimes led to challenging consequences.
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