Wood County Board Allocates 0,000 in ARPA Funds to Address Childcare Needs
WOOD COUNTY, Wis. — In a strategic move to combat the escalating childcare crisis in the region, the Wood County Board of Supervisors has approved the allocation of 0,000 from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). This initiative aims to enhance access to licensed childcare services, a growing concern amid reports of a significant childcare desert in the area.
According to the Wood County Childcare Task Force, the current ratio of licensed childcare spots to children is alarmingly low, with only one available spot for every three children. This shortfall has prompted many parents to withdraw from the workforce, seek alternative caregiving arrangements, or rely on informal care options such as relatives or acquaintances. Such circumstances highlight the urgent need for additional regulated childcare providers in the county.
Kayla Rombalski, Community Development Educator for Wood County, emphasized the importance of expanding licensed childcare options: “Many individuals possess the capacity and interest in caring for additional children beyond their biological ones or those already in their care. Therefore, establishing licensed and regulated childcare centers becomes crucial.”
The economic implications of insufficient affordable childcare are profound, affecting not only families but also the local economy at large. If parents cannot secure affordable childcare, they may be forced to resign from their jobs, leading to staffing shortages in various sectors. Rombalski noted, “It’s not simple for every family to choose to stay home. While some may have dual incomes allowing such choices, others face financial constraints that make it a significant challenge.”
A 2020 study revealed that 42% of women in Wisconsin reported reducing their work hours or quitting due to childcare expenses, in stark contrast to only 20% of men, indicating a gender disparity in the impact of childcare costs on employment.
To address this urgent need, the newly allocated funding will provide one-time grants for newly regulated family childcare providers, offering up to ,000. Certified family childcare providers can receive up to ,000, while group childcare programs—existing or newly established—may obtain grants of up to 0,000. The application process for group childcare centers is competitive and deadlines are approaching; applications must be submitted by March 28.
Family childcare centers seeking funding have until October 31 to apply or until resources are exhausted. As the county takes these proactive steps, the hope is to not only alleviate the childcare crisis but also to bolster the local workforce and support families in Wood County.
