WISCONSIN — Governor Tony Evers has announced an additional $50 million for child care payments.
Evers made the announcement Tuesday alongside Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson.
“Throughout our public health emergency, Wisconsin has been a leader in prioritizing the needs of the early care and education community,” said Gov. Evers. “We know what’s best for kids is best for our state, and we have to connect the dots by making sure our families have access to safe, affordable, and high-quality child care so more people can remain in our workforce.”
The money will come from the federal CARES act and will go to early care and education providers who are facing struggles due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a press release from the governor, in March, roughly 40 percent of providers reported to DCF they had closed their doors. That figure now stands at 5.3 percent (237 providers).
The money is helping stabilize the early care and education system in Wisconsin, allowing child care providers to offer high-quality child care for Wisconsin families.
There are two programs within childcare that this money will go to. The first provides safe, healthy, and high-quality child care opportunities within local providers. The other helps providers fund staff recruitment and retention efforts.
If you wish to apply for these payments or to learn more, click here.
“I want to thank the governor for his commitment to Wisconsin’s children and families,” said DCF Secretary Amundson. “And I also want to thank the thousands of early care educators who have provided a safe, high-quality home for children to learn and grow during these unprecedented times.
