The Wisconsin Early Childhood Association applauds Governor Tony Evers for allocating $170 million from available pandemic relief funds to continue child care count payments through June 2025. The measures will bring some stability to the early years sector, which has struggled during the planning period, and will be a welcome relief. The program is set to end in January, as originally expected.
“This is a very welcome and important development for early care and education in Wisconsin,” said WECA Executive Director Ruth Schmidt. “We know that early childhood programs and educators will breathe a small sigh of relief when they hear this news. This comes as a result of increased parent fees and, in some cases, closures in anticipation of the end of early childhood programs. We thank the Governor for his leadership and willingness to engage at this incredibly important and difficult time for parenting. ”
The Wisconsin Early Childhood Association has long been a staunch supporter of significant public funding for early child care and education, and recently helped lead the Raising Wisconsin initiative, which continues to advocate for significant funding for child care numbers. I am. His $170 million as a result of Mr. Evers’ actions will allow the program to continue at its current reduced payment level. Continuing payments at low levels is incredibly necessary and beneficial, but does not provide the level of funding and sustainability needed over the long term to ensure stability for early childhood programs, early childhood educators, and working families. is still not enough. the communities they serve;
It is important to note that the governor’s actions came just as new state surplus numbers were released. The numbers show Wisconsin will end the year with more than $7 billion in available surplus, $300 million of which will represent the continuation of the child care counting program. Only 4%. That means state legislators have money available to use general purpose revenue to provide a significant investment in paying for child care programs over time.
“It is also important to note that the early childhood sector has long required long-term investment,” Schmidt said. “Child care needs to be recognized by state legislators as a vital public good.”
