William Franko, associate professor and director of graduate studies, WVU Eberly College of Arts and Sciences

The U.S. slid off a child care funding cliff when pandemic-era federal subsidies to support child care services expired on Sept. 30. With up to half of West Virginia’s child care centers expected to close as a result of the grants ending, WVU scholars of political science and education see challenges for parents, children, child care providers and businesses.