In a recent meeting of the Marathon County Extension Education and Economic Development Committee, members discussed the critical issue of affordable, high-quality childcare and its implications for local families and the economy. The meeting, which was rescheduled to accommodate more attendees, began with the approval of previous minutes before diving into the pressing childcare concerns facing the county.

Committee members reviewed their strategic plan, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that every child reaches adulthood with health, stability, and growth opportunities. They highlighted objectives aimed at reducing childhood trauma and developing policies to support affordable childcare, with a goal of increasing the capacity for such services by the end of 2024.

Kelly Borchard, Executive Director of Child Caring, presented alarming statistics regarding the decline in regulated childcare programs in Marathon County. From 1998 to June 2023, the number of regulated programs plummeted from 450 to just 82, resulting in a loss of over 1,000 childcare slots. This decline has significant economic repercussions, with a bipartisan policy center report estimating that the county could lose up to $112 million annually in income tax revenue and productivity due to insufficient childcare options.

Borchart outlined the barriers to entering the childcare workforce, including low wages and high training costs. Currently, lead childcare teachers earn just under $15 an hour, and the costs associated with training new staff can exceed $2,800. To address these challenges, Borchard proposed a plan to train 30 early childhood professionals over two years, which could potentially create 240 new childcare slots. The proposal includes offering free training and $5,000 stipends for participants who commit to working in local childcare programs for at least one year.

The committee expressed a strong interest in supporting this initiative, recognizing the urgent need to bolster the childcare workforce to meet the demands of working families. The discussion underscored the broader economic implications of investing in childcare, with studies suggesting that every dollar spent could yield a return of $4 to $9 through reduced future costs in areas such as special education and criminal justice.

As the meeting concluded, committee members acknowledged the importance of collaboration among local stakeholders to enhance childcare availability and support the community's economic growth. The proposed initiatives aim not only to alleviate the immediate childcare crisis but also to foster a more resilient workforce for the future.