Applications for Partner Up! Grant Program Now Available

Thursday, March 10th, 2022 -- 12:00 PM

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families has awarded administration of the Partner Up! grant program to Supporting Families Together Association in partnership with Wisconsin’s nine Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies, including Childcaring Inc.

Partner Up! is a new statewide initiative that aims to connect essential businesses with local child care programs to secure affordable child care slots for essential workers.

Childcaring Inc. will support businesses and child care providers in Central Wisconsin through the Partner Up! application process and provide ongoing support to program participants.

Through Partner Up!, participating essential businesses will be able to secure subsidized child care slots in local regulated child care programs for their employees’ use. Based on costs of care determined by DCF, the employer will contribute at least 25% of the cost of care for each child care slot they reserve, and Partner Up! will contribute the remaining amount to pay the child care provider.

This will allow participating essential worker parents to receive quality child care at little or no out-of-pocket cost. The Partner Up! grant program will provide $10 million in total to support child care for Wisconsin’s essential businesses.

Applications are available now for eligible businesses interested in participating. Here is a link to the most current information: Partner Up! Grant Program (wisconsin.gov). They encourage you to sign up for the email updates by clicking here: Work Toward Shared Goals with Project Growth (wisconsin.gov)

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.