Appleton, WI – Today, State Senator Kristin Dassler-Alfheim (D-Appleton) and State Representative Lee Snodgrass (D-Appleton) were joined by local child care providers and parents for a press conference at Bridges Child Enrichment Center in Appleton to discuss the end of the Child Care Bridge Payment Program and the impacts of the loss of the program. 

“Our child care industry is the backbone of every other industry in Wisconsin. State investments in the Child Care Bridge Payments kept tuition costs from ballooning so parents didn't have to choose between quitting a job or finding quality care for their kid. Without this program, families are all going to feel the pinch, as providers are forced to reduce their hours, raise their tuition rates, or shut down completely. Our local workforce and the economy as a whole is going to feel the loss of this vital program,” said Sen. Dassler-Alfheim. 

The Child Care Bridge Payments Program (formerly known as Child Care Counts) was initially funded using pandemic aid the state received from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). A 2023 study found that 83% of providers used the funds to cover operating expenses, such as rent and utilities, and 70% used them to cover employee payroll and benefits. Providers reported that the majority of the funding they received was put towards payroll, benefits, and physical operating expenses. 

“This industry was in serious trouble even before the pandemic. The payments we received from this program did not go toward extras – they have gone toward things that make quality care possible every single day.  Our margins are razor thin, and operating expenses are only going up. Everything is getting more expensive: food, insurance, utilities...and we simply do not have enough left to pay livable wages to our staff.  Without this program, the only way we can cover those increasing costs is by raising tuition or cutting services, which we know will affect quality,” said Nicole Seebruck Zellmer, the Executive Director of Bridges Child Enrichment Center. 

Governor Tony Evers included $442 million over the biennium for the program in his 2025-27 budget proposal, but it was removed from consideration by the Joint Finance Committee in May, 2025. The final 2025-27 budget included just $110 million for the program with an expiration date of July 1, 2026. Legislative Democrats introduced SB 322/AB 317, which included $480 million for the program. Both bills were referred to committee and never received a public hearing. 

“This session, Republicans failed to join Democrats in taking action to stabilize our child care market in the long term via sustained budgetary investment. Now, we’re seeing the effects. Providers across the state are deciding if they can keep their doors open or have to raise rates, forcing working families to make difficult choices. Next session, my colleagues and I will fight hard to make sure Wisconsin’s families can access the care they need and providers are not forced to make compromises on investments in their staff or changes to rates for families. Child care is a workforce issue and we all benefit from investing in our children,” concluded Rep. Snodgrass. 

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