4 minute read

Free Event

Thursday, April 20th - 8:00 am to 11:00 am

Westmoreland Community College Register & Link Below!

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Trying Together Continued

A recent report from our partners at ReadyNation and the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission shows an annual economic cost of $6.65 billion in lost earnings, productivity, and revenue for the Commonwealth. Specifically, productivity problems cause Pennsylvania employers to lose $1.52 billion annually due to child care challenges faced by their workforce.

The most pressing challenge for families needing to access child care: the current workforce shortage. Across Pennsylvania, early childhood teachers earn an estimated $12.43 per hour or less than $25,844 per year. In Westmoreland County the estimated hourly rate is even lower at $10.44 per hour or less than $22,000 annually. More than 1,100 programs across 54 counties responded to the Start Strong PA survey. According to respondents:

1. Programs need to fill nearly 4,000 open staffing positions.

2. Nearly 35,500 children currently sit on child care waiting lists.

3. More than 30,000 additional children could be served at respondents’ sites if they were fully staffed.

4. The 28 Westmoreland County programs that responded collectively have 118 open positions resulting in 49 closed classrooms and 844 children on the waiting list.

Child care is the workforce behind the workforce. Throughout the past few years, child care has been thrust into the national spotlight as a critical support for working families. Trying Together is committed to working with partners like the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce to deepen our understanding of how the business community and families are being impacted by the early educator staffing crisis and to find solutions forward.

Month of The Young Child—n April, Trying Together celebrates the Month of The Young Child. This is a time where the dedicated work of early educators can be promoted for the essential role that it plays in our society. The events of the last few years have demonstrated just how important it is to fund, support, and elevate the work of child care. In addition to early care and education experiences providing an opportunity for young children to grow and learn, programs also ensure parents and caregivers are able to get to work.

The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce will host a briefing to discuss the current state of child care for working families in Westmoreland County. Panel discussions will highlight the current challenges facing the child care sector and the implications for working families trying to find and afford care; the impact of limited child care options on area businesses, and potential solutions to increase the availability of high-quality care and stabilize the child care sector.

This event is being held in partnership with the Westmoreland Fayette Workforce Investment Board, Westmoreland Community Action, Trying Together, the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment

With your support, we will advocate together, learn together, and partner together to make sure caregivers and families have the resources they need to make the best decisions regarding children’s early learning experiences. Learn about our giving opportunities at https://tryingtogether.org/about-us/support/give-now

PLENTY. As you might expect, an event like this doesn’t come together without the dedication of many. Here are some ways you can help make the event a success and gain exposure for you and your business. Below are the opportunities available, investment amount, and what you will receive:

Become a Corporate Sponsor (Investment - $325)

• Logo recognition in program and on event marketing materials

• Company name recognized at event

• Two luncheon tickets

Donate a Grand Prize (Minimum Investment - $200)

• Company name recognized in marketing materials, program and at event

Donate a Raffle Basket (Minimum Value - $50)

• Company name recognized in the program and announced from podium

ZigZiglarsaiditbest:“You neverknowwhenamomentandafewsincerewordscanhaveanimpacton alife.”

This quote hits right at the heart of employee recognition. In fact, when asked in a recent survey, job-seekers across the globe listed “appreciation for my work” as the number one attribute that is most important in a job.

Company Name:___________________________________________________________

Contact: _________________________________________Phone:__________________

Address: ________________________________________________________________

Email: _________________________________________________________________

I would like to:

 Be a Corporate Sponsor  Donate a Grand Prize  Donate a Raffle Basket  Donate $50

Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce 241 Tollgate Hill Road | Greensburg, PA 15601 Phone: 724-834-2900 www.westmorelandchamber.com

Chamber Now AcceptingYouth Leadership Applications

The Westmoreland County Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (501c3), working in partnership with the Workforce Investment Board of Westmoreland and Fayette Counties and the Commonwealth of PA is excited to announce Leadership Westmoreland Youth Academy 2023. The experience will be a five-day leadership development program offered June 19-23, 2023 from 8AM-3:30PM. The participant investment in Leadership Westmoreland Youth Academy is $175.

Students will learn leadership concepts and interact with local business, government and community leaders. Participants will be Westmoreland County rising juniors and seniors with a GPA of at least 2.5. Much of the week will be spent observing leadership in action at various County locations. The program is in its sixth year.

To apply, students will complete an application, sign a Code of Responsibility & Commitment Form and secure a letter of recommendation. All forms can be found on the Westmoreland County Chamber website at westmorelandchamber.com.

For more information contact Grace Markum, program facilitator, at leadership@westmorelandchamber.com or by calling 814-659-7144. The application deadline is April 28, 2023 with notification of acceptance on or before May 16, 2023.

Chamber Appoints New Board Member- Ladd Wagner

Ladd has been active in the community in various positions such as past president of the FRHS Ice Hockey Club as well as past president of Murrysville Business & Professional Association. He has regularly assisted with Murrysville Recreation programs such asTrick or Treat on theTrail, Santa at Sardis & the Polar Express. He is also Chairman of the State Farm Political Action Committee. Ladd is very active with the USA Hockey as a representative on the girls’ council for the Mid Am District.

Ladd and his wife of 34 years, Carol, have 3 children; Kyle & wife Lacey,Tyler & his wife Nicole and a daughter Charleigh. They are also proud grandparents of Zoey Wagner.

Please Help Us Welcome Ladd Wagner

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