Would you be more likely to work for an employer that offers free child care as a benefit? The state of Wisconsin is ready to see if it’s possible.
Here’s Five Fast Facts on the Partner Up! Program offering childcare to workers:
- 🚸Grab a Partner - The Partner Up! Program, run by the state’s Department of Children and Families is using $10M from the American Rescue Plan Act to allow employers to cover the cost of employee childcare for one year.
- 🦶Big Kickoff - The program kicked off earlier this year, awarding grant money to more than 100 businesses. A second round of funding has gone to 88 more businesses in late September.
- 🙌Big Benefit - Representatives say the program aims to show employers that providing child care as a benefit in some capacity can be a reality and is mutually beneficial.
- 🤝Everyone Wins! - DCF says the goal solves problems on multiple fronts: it slows or stops the labor shortage, brings staff back to child care providers and helps parents keep out-of-pocket costs down. Considering infant care in Wisconsin costs more than college tuition, that’s a big deal.
- 🔗A Model Model - But it’s not going to be one big free for all. Administrators say the end goal is to create a model where families, businesses and the state all chip in to the cost of child care.
🔥Bottom line: People need affordable child care. Child care providers want affordable child care and children to care for. Wisconsin businesses want employees. If this program is successful and the people in power are paying attention, the results could be huge for families all over the state.
What do you think of the program?
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