PDG Newsletter June 1, 2022 DCF Announces Project Growth Grant Recipients The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced yesterday the award of over $20 million in Project Growth grants to 28 cross-sector community teams and over 100 businesses to help solve the challenges facing Wisconsin’s child care system and bolster the state’s economy. During the five-week application period the Project Growth grant program received a large amount of interest with over 660 Partner Up! applications and 39 Dream Up! applications. While funding was limited, DCF was able to award grants to communities and businesses in each region of the state, with an emphasis on areas deemed child care deserts. Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building Grant Program The Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building grant program, administered by our partner, First Children’s Finance, focuses on building child care supply through a collaborative community approach. Twenty-eight cross-sector teams will receive strategic planning support and $75,000 in grant funding to evaluate, plan, sustain, and expand existing child care, and support new child care programs. Additional $5,000 stipends will be allocated to participating child care providers who submit business improvement plans during the strategic planning process. To view the list of Dream Up! grant recipients for the spring and fall 2022 cohorts, visit DCF’s Project Growth webpage. Partner Up! Grant Program The Partner Up! grant program, administered by our partner, Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA), focuses on supporting partnerships between businesses and child care providers by offering funding to businesses who purchase slots at existing regulated child care providers. Over 100 businesses statewide, ranging from child care and health care to retail and manufacturing, will receive funding based on the true cost of care, number of slots, and age group. An additional cohort of Partner Up! recipients will be announced later this summer. To view the list of Partner Up! grant recipients in the first cohort, visit DCF’s Project Growth webpage. In addition to the above grant programs, a number of resources stemmed from this project, including: Wisconsin Child Care Business Challenges Infographic Community Approach Infographic Business-Child Care Partnership Tool Kit Business Child Care Advocates Sample Survey on Employee Needs for Child Care Wisconsin Employer 2021 Research Snapshot Wisconsin Employer 2021 Comprehensive Research Findings Access the full press release and view all of the award recipients on the DCF website. Business Child Care Advocates (BCCAs) in the Spotlight Business Child Care Advocates (BCCAs) are ready to assist! They work in regions across Wisconsin conducting outreach to businesses for Project Growth. BCCAs also connect businesses and regulated child care providers and provide technical assistance to businesses and providers participating in Partner Up! Learn more about BCCAs and who to contact on the Project Growth website. Spotlight: Michelle Moore Community Coordinated Child Care, Inc. (4-C) Counties/Tribes Served Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Lafayette, Walworth, Sauk, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, Grant, and Ho-Chunk Nation Contact Information partnerup@4-c.org | 608-271-9181 About I have been in the early childhood industry for 20+ years now. I have several areas of interest that I have been fortunate to be able to use as experience in this field, including but not limited to: teaching, center director, certification specialist, pre-licensing technical consultant, and now BCCA! The Most Exciting Part of Being a BCCA The most exciting part of being a BCCA is developing amazing connections and partnerships with area businesses and child care centers! Goal for the Next Year My goal is to continue to build relationships with current contacts and build new connections and relationships. View Michelle Moore’s spotlight. Spotlight: Jared Hickey The Parenting Place Counties/Tribes Served La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Vernon, Richland, and Crawford Contact Information jaredhickey@theparentingplace.net | 608-784-8125 ext. 232 About I have a background in territory sales and sales management. I have traveled throughout the United States for work and I enjoy meeting new people. The Most Exciting Part of Being a BCCA I enjoy helping people and being a part of the solution. I also enjoy hearing people’s stories about their experiences in child care. Goals for the Next Year To continue to meet more people and bring employers and employees together through Partner Up! View Jared Hickey’s spotlight.
