Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs
Advocacy
The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCA (PSAYs) is dedicated to championing legislative and regulatory priorities that
foster reliable childcare, healthy communities, and the safety and well-being of youth. As the largest childcare provider
in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, one of our primary advocacy areas revolves around early childhood education,
recognizing its pivotal role in shaping a child’s future.
The Pennsylvania Alliance of YMCAs actively supports increased funding that recognizes the full cost of care of early
learning services and competitive wages for childcare workers. Additionally, we emphasize the importance of legislation,
public policies, and funding that supports quality education in our childcare centers and out of school time programs.
YMCAs across Pennsylvania are committed to supporting efforts that create sustainable career pathways for childcare
professionals – recognizing the profound impact they have on the educational journey of the next generation.
Through the following legislative priorities, we strive to build stronger, more vibrant communities across the Commonwealth:
- The Alliance supports the Building Opportunity through Out of School Time (BOOST) Program legislation to provide a permanent and sustainable source of funding for afterschool and out of school time programs operated by community- based organizations.
- The Alliance supports legislation or regulations to permanently increase the wages of professional childcare staff.
- The Alliance supports legislation or regulations to change the age and experience requirements for childcare assistants and aides to ensure a larger pool of qualified childcare staff.
- The Alliance supports legislation to establish a state-level universal charitable deduction.
- The Alliance opposes language to expand the Pennsylvania sales tax to include memberships to charitable organizations and childcare services.
PSAYs also works in tandem with YMCA of the USA (Y USA) to leverage resources and ensure continuity on behalf of our
diverse communities. Y USAs legislative priorities support federal investments in places and programs that are open to
people of all generations, backgrounds and perspectives, and expand access to the resources, opportunities and
relationships that everyone needs to thrive. The Pennsylvania State Alliance of YMCAs will continue to support the
following national 2024 legislative priorities:
2024 National Advocacy Day Priorities
The Y effect global change from the ground up. Together we help young people develop into tomorrow’s leaders, we help everyone improve their health and well-being and we strive to create equitable communities for all. Our legislative priorities support federal investments in places and programs that are open to people of all generations, backgrounds and perspectives, and that expand access to the resources, opportunities and relationships that everyone need to thrive.
Support the highest level of funding for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG). Access to quality, affordable child care enables parents to work and pursue education or training opportunities, helps to ensures that employers have the workforce they need, and supports the education and healthy development of youth.
- CCDBG funds supports each state's child care subsidy program, helping to make quality early childcare and afterschool programs more affordable for low-and-moderate-income families. Increased funding will shore up the nation's child care infrastructure and help insure that families have access to this critical resource.
Support the highest level of funding for CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. These funds will advance evident-based strategies that prevent and control diseases impacting 6 of 10 American and will help curb health spending, since 90% of health care spending goes to treat those living with chronic disease.
- CDC's Chronic Disease Center funds proven state and local strategies that address the nation's leading causes of death and disability: heart disease, cancer, obesity, arthritis, and diabetes. This funding supports local Y efforts to scale evident-based prevention programs and advance innovative strategies to address human and economic needs impacting health outcomes in underserved areas.
Support the highest level of funding for CDC’s National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion. These funds will advance evident-based strategies that prevent and control diseases impacting 6 of 10 American and will help curb health spending, since 90% of health care spending goes to treat those living with chronic disease.
- CDC's Chronic Disease Center funds proven state and local strategies that address the nation's leading causes of death and disability: heart disease, cancer, obesity, arthritis, and diabetes. This funding supports local Y efforts to scale evident-based prevention programs and advance innovative strategies to address human and economic needs impacting health outcomes in underserved areas.