Wisconsin communities are invited to submit an application for the 3rd cohort of communities in the Wisconsin Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building Program launching in the summer of 2023.
Donor Name: Wisconsin Department of Children and Families
State: Wisconsin
County: All Counties
Type of Grant: Grant
Deadline: 03/17/2023
Size of the Grant: $75,000
Details:
Child care is an economic driver for communities, and many Wisconsin communities are facing shortages of high-quality child care. First Children’s Finance’s Strategic Supply and Capacity Building Consultation is designed to engage community stakeholders to address the challenges of child care capacity in their communities.
The Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building Grant Program is kicking off a third cohort of competitive applications with additional funding of $2.5 million through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Grant Priority
Priority for the round of applications will be based on the criteria below:
- Child care desert status
- Lacking in infant/toddler care
- Need for expanded care during non-traditional hours
- Show readiness to collaborate across sectors to identify short- and long-supports for sustainable child care business models
- Evidence of commitment to equity and inclusion in the community’s core team engagement and stated goals for the grant
Funding Information
Through this program, awarded communities receive strategic planning support and $75,000 in grant funding. Additional $5,000 stipends will be allocated to participating child care providers who submit updated business plans during the strategic planning process.
Eligibility Criteria
Applications should be submitted by a team of invested community members. Teams are encourage to include a cross-sector of professionals. Team representatives may include (but are not limited to):
- Local business leaders
- Community and civic organizations
- Economic development programs
- Child care programs
- School districts
- Local government
- City or county administrations
- Individual child care programs are not eligible for this program as a stand-alone applicant, but may be a part of the team.
Communities eligible to apply include:
- Native & indigenous communities
- Neighborhoods with defined boundaries in urban areas
- Rural areas no bigger than a county
- Suburban/exurban community
- An area like a zip code, school district, or 4 small cities who join together
While many communities have child care shortages, only some are ready to roll up their sleeves and embark on the journey to address this critical community issue. Through this competitive process, First Children’s Finance, in consultation with Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, will select communities who demonstrate commitment to the community engagement process and have a core group of leaders dedicated to addressing child care supply and sustainability in their community. Communities in child care deserts and communities looking to serve priority populations are encouraged to apply.
For more information, visit WDCF.
