Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) on Monday announced that more than 3,100 child care providers across the state received a total of $8.7 million via the first payment of the Child Care Bridge Payments Program.
The program, which will provide $110 million in monthly direct payments to Wisconsin child care providers through June 2026, was made possible through the more than $360 million investment Evers secured in the 2025-27 bipartisan state budget.
As a result, there will not be any gaps in direct funding for child care providers caused by the winding down of the Child Care Counts Program. Funds from this first month’s payment will support the retention of 25,531 staff and the care of 126,181 children.
The first round of direct payments under the new Child Care Bridge Payments Program is 87% of what providers were receiving under the last round of payments from the Child Care Counts Program.
The next application window will open Aug. 23 and close Aug. 31, with additional opportunities to apply each month through June 2026. Wisconsin child care providers can find more information on how to apply on DCF’s website.
