Dear Governor Evers:
The Milwaukee Child Care Alliance (MCCA) is a network of leaders in early care and education who are committed to strengthening the lives of children and families through advocating for quality early care and education in the Greater Milwaukee area. MCCA would again like to extend our heartfelt thank you for your strong commitment to child care and early education during your time in office.
MCCA would also like to thank you for proposing vitally important child care initiatives in your 2025-27 state budget. These include your plan to permanently establish Child Care Counts as the state’s ongoing child care quality improvement program.
The current Child Care Counts program expires AT THE END OF THIS MONTH! As you have noted, a Department of Children and Families (DCF) survey found that a quarter of child care programs are likely to close if the Legislature fails to act. In Milwaukee County alone, this could mean the loss of more than 1,750 jobs.
The child care industry is a major employer in the Milwaukee area. In Milwaukee County, child care has more employees (7,000-plus) and generates more gross receipts ($2 million-plus) than hotels and motels, advertising services, or engineering services.
The Milwaukee area is also where the highest concentration of child care and early education need exists. The old saying is: “How things go in Milwaukee, so goes the entire state.” We implore you and legislative leaders to save child care and early education in Milwaukee and throughout the entire state.
Thank you again for your leadership and support. We stand ready to help.
Sincerely,
Christine Larson Salerno Bianca Hill
Christine Larson Salerno, Chair Bianca Hill, Treasurer
Milwaukee Child Care Alliance Milwaukee Child Care alliance
