The Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission applauds Along the Way's innovative approach to increase affordable child care options in Montgomery County. This cost-sharing model will benefit working families, employers, and the local economy. We look forward to exploring opportunities for statewide replication.
-Andrea Heberlein, Executive Director
Blueprints, NOT Band-Aids: The Time to Act on Child Care Is Now
It’s been FIVE years since COVID-19 exposed the fragile foundation of Pennsylvania’s child care system—and since then, leaders across the Commonwealth have acknowledged the urgent need for investment. While some measures have been taken, they’ve largely consisted of short-term fixes—bonuses and stopgap funding that, while well-intentioned, do not address the deeper structural issues at play. Pennsylvania families are still struggling. Pennsylvania businesses are still contending with workforce instability. And despite years of discussion, the child care ecosystem is not significantly stronger than it was in 2020. It’s time to stop talking and start building.
At Along The Way, we’ve never waited for change—we create it. Our model is built on social entrepreneurship, strong cross-sector collaboration, bold strategy, and real solutions like PA Tri-Share: a blueprint for shared responsibility between employers, parents, and public funding that promotes economic mobility and helps businesses remain competitive. We believe Pennsylvania should be a place where people want to work, live, and raise their families. But that only happens when we replace temporary relief with permanent infrastructure. When we prioritize blueprints—not band-aids. You can help move this vision forward:
1. Sign the petition to show your support for a statewide Tri-Share Program in PA.
2. Contact your local legislators and ask them to act now.
3. Employers: Get in on the ground floor of a solution that benefits your workforce and your bottom line.
4. Employees: Let us know you need this—fill out our Employee Interest Form.
There are many ways to get involved. But the most important thing is this: Do something different. If you haven’t acted yet—now is the time. If you have, but the system still isn’t working—it’s time to try a new approach. Together, we can stop the cycle of short-term fixes and build lasting solutions in PA!
The Tri-Share Program is a proven approach to increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care for working families while also helping employers retain talent and remove one major barrier to employment. Through this program, the cost of an employee's child care is shared equally among the employer, the employee, and county government grants - a 3-way split - with coordination provided by Along The Way as an administrative partner.
Montgomery County is the first County to participate. County Commissioners from other PA counties can inquire here.
