Funds Available for Wisconsin Families Struggling With Childcare Costs

Friday, August 2nd, 2024 -- 1:00 PM

Money for child care is available to those who need it most.

Paying for child care is a struggle many Wisconsin parents and caregivers face. It’s easy to understand why. Wisconsin's average monthly cost of child care for an infant is a whopping $1,047. The monthly cost of child care is often more than the cost of food, housing, and utilities.

For many families in our state, that's a financial hurdle too big to overcome. Thankfully, there is help available. The Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program is designed to help working families across the state afford quality child care.

How? By giving them money each month to cover a portion of the costs. Wisconsin Shares invests in eligible families to help create strength and opportunities for growth and success by making quality child care more accessible and affordable.

Who qualifies? Eligible families all have children under the age of 13. If a child has a special need, the family may remain eligible until the child's 19th birthday. Live in Wisconsin, and their children must be United States citizens or qualifying immigrants.

Earn no more than 185% of the Federal Poverty Level. (FPL) Guardians who are not biological parents, like foster parents, may have different income eligibility requirements. Every month, around 30,000 children statewide are served through the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program.

Still, there are more children and families that are not receiving support than there are in the program. With money available through federal funding and investments many more families across Wisconsin can get help. Wisconsin Shares provides important financial support to families. Because child care is an essential part of helping working families thrive.

Parents and caregivers rely on safe, affordable child care so they can work, take classes, or take advantage of other opportunities to strengthen their families. Most importantly, children get a better start when they're in quality care.

Young children depend on child care to help them develop the social-emotional skills needed to prepare them for the future. To learn more or to apply for child care financial assistance, visit WIShares.WI.gov.

Families that do not qualify for WI Shares and earn less than 300% of the FPL, may qualify for Good Start Grants. Good Start Grants (GSG), a program of Childcaring, provides financial assistance to eligible families to ensure they have access to quality, affordable child care.

Families residing in the following areas may be eligible for GSG including Marathon County or Portage County. Marshfield area including Arpin, Auburndale, Chili, Granton, Greenwood, Loyal, Neillsville, Pittsville, Spencer, or Stratford.

And Wisconsin Rapids area including Babcock, Nekoosa, Port Edwards, Rudolph, or Vesper GSG is made possible by local funders such as Marshfield Area United Way and others.

Please visit the Childcaring website for more information about Good Start Grants and WI Shares: https://childcaring.org/needhelppaying

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