The Greater Fox Valley Child Care Alliance is a network of partners across NE Wisconsin (from Greater Green Bay to Oshkosh) working to make it easier for children ages birth to 5 and their families to get the high-quality, affordable early care and education (ECE) and family supports they need to thrive.
With this newsletter we aim to educate and inform our communities about the need to transform early care and education in ways that will bring about more equitable and lasting outcomes for children and families across the region and to spark opportunities for action, alignment and coordination.
This month you’ll find:
LOCAL NEWS:
- City of Green Bay ARPA grant award to help unregulated child care
- Governor Evers signs expanded WI child care tax credit legislation
- Chicago Fed: Childcare Access and Affordability in the Seventh District
OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE & LEARN:
- WECA Provider Assistance for Licensing Program (PAL) extends to rural NE Wisconsin
- Elliot Haspel’s recent report Questioning the Promise of Employer-Sponsored Child Care Benefits
- NEW Greater Fox Valley Child Care Alliance flyer!
Local News
City of Green Bay ARPA Grant Award to Help Unregulated Child Care Centers Become Certified or Licensed
The Greater Fox Valley Child Care Alliance and its partners are working together to support quality, affordable child care for all children. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for child care intensified and the impacts have endured.
Brown County lost at least 640 regulated child care slots during the pandemic. Wait lists for families are extending well into 2024. To help meet the increased need for available slots, Brown County United Way received an ARPA grant from the City of Green Bay. United Way is partnering with Family & Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin (FCRNEW) to help unregulated child care centers become certified or licensed with support from this grant. Coupled with Brown County ARPA dollars awarded to FCRNEW, centers across Brown County are eligible to apply for funding. Examples of what available dollars could support include capital improvements such as fencing and shelving, background checks, safety supplies, and early childhood educational materials. Mentoring to help navigate the certification and licensure processes is also available.
Brown County home or group based child care centers seeking to become licensed or certified may contact Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W. to inquire about the regulation process and applying for financial support.
Governor Evers Signs Expanded WI Child Care Tax Credit Legislation
On March 4th, Governor Tony Evers signed 2023 Wisconsin Act 101 into law expanding the current state child and dependent care tax credit from 50 percent of the federal credit to 100 percent beginning with tax year 2024. The bill also increases the maximum amount of qualifying expenses—which include child care costs and other expenses related to providing care—that may be claimed for the credit from $3,000 to $10,000 for one qualifying dependent and from $6,000 to $20,000 for two or more qualifying dependents. These provisions, together, provide a significant boost in tax relief to Wisconsin working families. To read the full press release, click below:
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Chicago Fed: Child Care Access and Affordability in the Seventh District
Thanks to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago for highlighting the work of the Basic Needs Giving Partnership and the many partners of the Greater Fox Valley Child Care Alliance. We’re working hard to build a network of child care advocates across the region!
Opportunities to Engage & Learn
WECA Provider Assistance for Licensing Program (PAL) Extended to Rural NE Wisconsin
The Alliance continues to engage cross-sector regional partners, including employers and economic development organizations in critical conversations as we seek identified strategies for sustained investment in Early Care and Education (ECE).
Elliot Haspel’s Recent Report Questioning the Promise of Employer-Sponsored Child Care Benefits
Questioning the Promise of Employer-Sponsored Child Care Benefits raises important questions and consideration of the role of business in child care.
To learn more about this important conversation and to read the report, we are sharing the Early Learning Nation article, 5 Top Takeaways from New America’s Better Life Lab Webinar which featured Elliot Haspel and a panel of guests for discussion and analysis.
Early Learning Nation Article America Article
NEW Greater Fox Valley Child Care Alliance flyer in a handy one-pager!
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Please consider joining one of our action teams and engage with cross-sector regional partners to design and launch strategy ideas to address child care challenges.
Learn More About the Strategic Action Teams
Thank You Partners
Read More Child Care Alliance News