Wisconsin Shares: $106 million Underspending at Children’s Expense

by | July 14, 2015

Home 9 Early Care and Education 9 Wisconsin Shares: $106 million Underspending at Children’s Expense ( Page 15 )

Wisconsin Shares has spent $106.3 million less than budgeted for the last three state fiscal years in subsidy payments to child care programs.

Underspending

The Big Question:

If we are repeatedly underspending, why do we still have policies that continue to drive child care payments down, undermining the quality of their programs and the children they serve?

  1. Low Rates: Why do we still have payment rates to child care programs well below the market rate standard set in statutes, after 7 years of frozen rates?
  2. Pay on attendance: Why are so many child care programs continuing to get paid only for attended days when their costs are fixed based on enrollment?
  3. Cut in bonus payments: Why are bonus payments for 4- and 5-Star program proposed to be capped, so many of our highest quality child care programs take a cut?
  4. 5% penalty: Why are 2-Star programs still being penalized by a 5% cut to their payments, making it difficult for them to improve their quality?

It seems prudent to adjust these policies as soon as possible to strengthen Wisconsin Shares and YoungStar so that the children served get the high quality care and education they need to thrive in school and beyond.

Dave Edie

Join us to build a Wisconsin where every child and family thrives.

Donate Now

Recent

K-12 Education in the Fox Valley

K-12 Education in the Fox Valley

by | May 9, 2023

Every student in the Fox Valley region deserves to receive the educational support and resources needed to help them achieve a bright future. Over the past few years, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant impacts on students in Wisconsin. These challenges were particularly acute for students who were more likely to be struggling prior to the pandemic, like students with lower incomes, students of color, and students who speak English as a second language. With federal pandemic relief funds drying up, state leaders must ensure schools have adequate resources and that students don’t fall even more behind.

Early Care & Education in the Fox Valley

Early Care & Education in the Fox Valley

by | May 9, 2023

Every child deserves a solid foundation in life, regardless of income. Affordable and accessible early care and education ensures that parents can get to work and sets children up for a strong start. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how child care is critical for children and families and why early care and education providers are an essential part of our local communities and a thriving economy.

Sign up for Emails

Your address helps us identify your legislators and the most relevant messages to send you.