It has been an unimaginable past twelve months since the nation and the state of Wisconsin came to a standstill to begin what would be the worst crisis to hit the country in over a hundred years. COVID-19 has killed over 540,000 Americans and over 7,000 Wisconsinites. This loss will reverberate across families, communities, states, and the nation for decades and decades to come. The loss of life has been beyond our worst nightmare, and the rippling impact of the pandemic has indelibly marked children’s and families’ health, economic well-being, and education.
Inaccessible and Unaffordable Child Care Pushes Wisconsin Families to the Breaking Point
Wisconsin’s lack of accessible child care short-changes children and makes getting to work for parents difficult, while those who can find care struggle to pay for it. This costs the economy billions of dollars a year and holds women back professionally, especially women of color.