MADISON, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) - Dane County day care centers will have access to millions of dollars in relief grants during the coronavirus crisis and economic reopening.
There are about 500 day care providers in Dane County. Right now, only about 35 percent of group day care centers in the county are open. About 78 percent of the county’s family day care centers are still caring for kids.
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi said we need those day care centers open as we gradually reopen our communities, so people’s children are cared for while they go back to work. That’s why the county is giving $3.5 million in grants for day care providers.
“A recent survey found that nationally, up to half of child care centers could face closure due to the pandemic,” said Parisi. “We cannot let that happen in Dane County.”
Child care centers will be eligible for $1,400 to $15,000 in relief grants, depending on their size. Providers have to commit to opening before July 1, or within 30 days after the public health department clears them to open. They don’t have to prove hardship; just about every care provider is eligible.
“The thing that sets child care business apart from all other businesses is that we rely on them for our work force to come to work,” said Jody Bartnick, Executive Director of Community Coordinated Child Care. 4-C will be administering these grants for the county.
Martha Heidy cares for eight kids in her home. She’s struggling to pay her assistant, and herself. “I don’t get anything from being open,” Heidy said. “I’m trying to help others and provide a job for my assistant.”
Still, instead of expanding her very small profit margin, she wants to use the grant money to help families in need. She’s imagining parents who haven’t been working, but have to go back to work soon, and don’t have the money to pay for child care right now. “Maybe I can help for a month,” Heidy said. “Families can go back to work, and they won’t have to worry about pay right now.”
Day care providers are getting guidance from Public Health Madison & Dane County. They're offering guidelines about things like how often to clean, not allowing outside toys or books, and staggering dropoffs and pickups to limit contact between adults.
“We not only need child care programs, we value you, we appreciate you, and we thank you,” said Bartnick.
Providers will be getting emails from 4-C soon with instructions on how to request funding.
The $3.5 million for this grant program will come from money given to Dane County as part of the federal CARES Act for COVID-19 relief.