The Early Care and Education (ECE) workforce that serves Los Angeles County preschools and its broader child care infrastructure is facing a crisis. At a time when demand for ECE services outstrips supply by more than a factor of two, the ECE sector continues to face chronic recruitment and retention challenges. The novel coronavirus outbreak has only exacerbated matters, but behind this setback lies an opportunity to link state funding for ECE workforce wage subsidies to local development initiatives in the wake of the pandemic. UNITE-LA commissioned Beacon Economics, an independent research and consulting firm, to report on the economic effects of paying ECE workers with wages that match qualifications. Stay tuned for the full report.