In 2024, MEF Associates partnered with the Allegheny County Department of Children Initiatives to evaluate the Allegheny County Child Care Matters (ACCM) Pilot Program. This program aims to support equitable access to stable, regulated child care so that working families can maintain or increase their participation in the workforce. To achieve this goal, the program expands child care subsidy access for families who would have otherwise been ineligible because their incomes were just above the state’s eligibility threshold.
As part of this evaluation, MEF conducted focus groups with 32 participating parents and 10 child care providers. MEF also analyzed administrative data from the ACCM Pilot Program, which included more than 300 participating families.
MEF also convened the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) to ensure the evaluation design incorporated feedback from community members who had direct experience with the ACCM Pilot Program. The CAC included early educators, parents, a representative from a local workforce development organization, and County staff who worked directly with child care providers and parents.
Evaluation findings suggest that with stable child care in place, parents felt more reliable at work, earned more raises and promotions, completed their education, and explored new career opportunities. The benefits also extended beyond workforce participation. Families reported positive impacts on their children’s development and improved financial stability. Findings also suggest that the ACCM Pilot Program benefits providers and integrates smoothly into their existing operations.