Madison, Wis. – Earlier today, Representative Kalan Haywood (D-Milwaukee), the Assistant Democratic Leader held a press conference at the YMCA Early Childcare Education Center alongside Senator LaTonya Johnson, Representative Robyn Vining, and childcare professionals Blake Compton & Noreen Collins of the YMCA of Milwaukee. The press conference highlighted the importance of access to affordable child care to our workforce, economy, and quality of life. To further expand on the topic, Rep. Haywood issued the following statement:
“Access to childcare is essential for parents in the workforce. Our daily lives are not possible without the childcare workers, educators, & professionals that ensure our children are in a setting that promotes cognitive and social development. Investing in childcare is investing in working families, and working families are the foundation of our economy.
“Governor Evers’ leadership during the COVID-19 Pandemic led to the creation of the Child Care Counts Program, which kept childcare providers financially secure enough to employ quality childcare workers through the pandemic. In his 2023-25 Executive Budget Proposal, Governor Evers allocated more than $340 million to make this successful program permanent. This investment will help create a stable future for childcare in Wisconsin, and keep childcare centers open to help Wisconsin families.
“It was an honor to stand next to YMCA Senior Executive Director of Youth Development Blake Compton and YMCA Northside Early Childcare Education Director Noreen Collins in support of affordable & accessible childcare in Wisconsin. As lawmakers, we must continue to support our childcare professionals, because their work keeps Wisconsin moving Forward.”
