Early Childhood in PA: Poverty, Preschool & Solutions

In honor of Community Action Month, this conversation with Vanessa Philbert (CAP Lancaster) and Robin Rohrbaugh (Community Progress Council) explores how local agencies support families with young children through programs like Head Start and WIC, and how a two-generation approach can help break cycles of poverty. The episode highlights the challenges facing low-income families in Pennsylvania and the community-wide solutions driving long-term economic stability.A deep dive into the 2025 NIEER State of Preschool Yearbook with lead author Allison Friedman-Krauss and Director Steve Barnett, exploring national trends and what they reveal about the quality, access, and funding of early childhood education—plus a closer look at where Pennsylvania stands. This conversation offers listeners a clear, data-driven snapshot of how states are supporting (or falling short in supporting) young learners.