Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp. (WEDC) submitted a formal s. 13.10 request to the Republican-controlled Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) to release $15 million aimed at supporting child care providers and working families across Wisconsin, according to a recent press release.
Evers enacted the 2023–25 biennial budget creating a $15 million child care fund appropriation at WEDC for child care providers. Under the submitted request, the funds would be directed to support the Child Care Counts Program in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families.
According to a report from The Century Foundation, it is estimated that without necessary investments 2,110 child care programs are projected to close, resulting in:
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The loss of over 4,880 child care jobs;
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The lack of child care for over 87,000 children in Wisconsin; and
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Approximately half a billion dollars in economic impacts between parents leaving the workforce and reduced employer productivity.
Additionally, a survey conducted in January by the National Association for the Education of Young Children found that 43% of early childhood educators reported increased burnout since January 2023; 41% of child care directors and owners indicated their program is experiencing staffing shortages; 53% indicated that their liability insurance costs have increased; and 50% have had to raise tuition prices in the past six months.
