How important is early childhood education to Pennsylvania’s economic future?

• Scott LaMar
  BioRecent Stories

  

  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Emma Lee / WHYY

Gabriel Watson, 3, works on a puzzle during his preschool class at Children's Playhouse Whitman in South Philadelphia.

Airdate: May 25th, 2023

 

The Pennsylvania Learning Investment Commission is holding the 2023 Early Learning Economic Summit June 6^th in Harrisburg. The Commission says the event will highlight experts on investments for businesses and policymakers to make that will guarantee that working parents/caregivers can gain access to affordable, quality child care while also maintaining economic mobility, while still having a vibrant economy.

The importance of quality childcare emerged as a major issue during the COVID pandemic.

Many say childcare and early childhood education are essential to Pennsylvania’s economic future.

Joining us on The Spark Thursday were Andrea Heberlein, executive director of the PA Early Learning Investment Commission (PA ELIC) and Jim Hoehn, a member of ELIC and the Regional President, Central PA with PNC Bank.