To the editor,

In 2006, I joined a passionate team at a group center and in 2020, I took over as President and Executive Director at the same center that has helped to raise my kids and guide me through my career. Throughout this time, I, like many other providers, have struggled to keep care affordable and earn a living wage.

When I first became a teacher, I took a nearly 50 percent pay cut from my previous job and when the pandemic first hit, it was unclear how we would make it through. However, we began to feel some hope as Child Care Counts, the stabilization program funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), was put into motion in Wisconsin. This not only kept us afloat, but our quality of care increased as we were able to cover the costs for teachers’ education requirements, increase wages, and make much-needed improvements.

Unfortunately, without a plan to continue the program, this funding is set to expire at the beginning of next year. Across the Badger State, 2,110 programs are projected to close, leaving 87,425 kids without care. At our center, we will need to cut wages and bonuses for teachers, and raise tuition for all families at a minimum of $47 per week per child.

Despite outcry from providers, parents and businesses, Republicans in the State Legislature have repeatedly ignored calls to invest in child care. Gov. Tony Evers is giving our lawmakers one last chance to invest in child care and the wellbeing of our economy by calling for a Special Session on Sept. 20. Assembly Speaker Vos and Senate Majority Leader LeMahieu, please answer the Governor’s call for a special session and recognize the need to save Child Care Counts for our families and our economy.

Tracy Collins

Prescott