'A child care crisis': Care for kids in Lehigh Valley at risk if federal funding expires

BETHLEHEM, Pa. — Affordable child care could become further out of reach for more Lehigh Valley families if federal funding for day care centers and preschools expires at the end of the month.
Nearly $24 billion in pandemic dollars earmarked for day care centers and preschools nationwide will end on Sept. 30 unless Congress extends it.

Congresswoman Susan Wild said she is pushing for $16 million in additional federal funding over the next five years to help shore up day care centers and preschools in the Lehigh Valley and nationwide through the Child Care Stabilization Act, introduced this week. Wild is a co-sponsor of the measure.