Quality Child Care is Unaffordable for PA's ALICE Families

According to the United Way of Pennsylvania, roughly one in three families are financially strained working families known as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed).

Kids on mothers lap

ALICE families earn wages that put them above the poverty line, but they still struggle to make ends meet.

  • Recently released Pennsylvania ALICE report showing that more than 2 in 5 children live in a household with income below the ALICE financial survival threshold.
  • Quality child care is unaffordable for PA’s ALICE families, costing an average of 25% of a family income.
  • More than half of ALICE parents report reducing hours or leaving their job during the pandemic because of child care needs.
  • ALICE families often live in areas with limited community resources, including child care programs. See this report on county-specific ALICE data showing the cost of child care for a family of four.

For more information and resources on ALICE families in PA, connect with the United Way of Pennsylvania’s ALICE team.

CONNECT HERE