Gov. Evers Proposes Additional Investment in Early Childhood Initiatives

Yesterday Governor Tony Evers announced a proposal that would allocate roughly $147 million in additional Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) dollars to support early care and education providers, partners and families.  

The plan calls for two phases that correspond to the 2021 and 2022 state fiscal years. Phase one includes $106 million to expand the Child Care Counts program to support providers and educators; $10 million to fund critical technology infrastructure to reduce the cost of technology for providers; a $10 million investment in workforce recruitment and retention; and $5.5 million to create and expand shared services networks to help maximize resource efficiency in administrative functions. Phase two includes $10 million to incentivize private sector partnerships, and $5.5 million to invest in workforce training and communications.

Common Council President Cavalier Johnson, a longtime supporter of early childhood initiatives, appreciates the Governor’s continued investment in this space. “I want to thank Governor Evers for proposing a detailed plan that supports families by allocating additional resources to early childhood initiatives,” said President Johnson. “I believe this plan will help ensure families have access to affordable, high-quality child care as we continue to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. It also mirrors many of the same priorities we have at the City.”

President Johnson was the lead sponsor and champion for the creation of the City of Milwaukee’s Office of Early Childhood Initiatives (OECI), which has been recognized by the LaundryCares Foundation and the Clinton Foundation’s Too Small to Fail initiative. The OECI works collaboratively to ensure that all Milwaukee children ages zero to three years old have access to high-quality learning environments and are prepared for academic, social-emotional, and lifelong success.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.