National Consulting Team Completes 2-Year Dream Up! Project in Wisconsin
In 2022, the First Children’s Finance National Consulting Team began working with the state of Wisconsin as part of the Project Growth initiative known as “Dream Up!.” Through an application process, 37 communities were chosen to participate in the Strategic Supply Planning Process, including eight hours of community facilitation around child care needs. Upon completion, each community received $75,000 to assist in their plans.
FCF conducted a Supply Demand Gap Analysis for all 37 communities at the conclusion of the project utilizing FCF-specific methods and compared it to each community’s initial findings. Results showed an increase of more than 116 Licensed Family Child Care Centers, 55 Licensed Child Care Centers and 23 Certified Family Child Care providers.
This increase resulted in 3,886 additional child care slots in the 37 communities that participated in the process. Additionally, four statewide community webinars were held that provided the opportunity for communities to network with one another and resources to address the supply and sustainability of child care in communities.
Along with the facilitation with community core teams, providers participated in many ways:
- Regulated child care providers residing within the 37 awarded communities were eligible to participate in a Business Leadership Cohort (BLC) consisting of four training sessions and two individual consultations. 337 child care providers completed all components of the BLC and were awarded $5,000 to support their business.
- Providers residing in the 37 counties that were awarded Dream Up! funds were eligible to receive individual business Over 870 hours of individual consultation supported more than 70 child care providers. Multiple providers completed more than one consultation.
- 543 individuals registered for business development training in 53 different counties. Training evaluations showed 100% of participants agreed that the trainings delivered provided useful tools and knowledge while 97.3% agreed their understanding of the subject improved or increased a result of the training. Overall, 99.1% agreed they will be able to apply what they learned into their child care business.
The engagement with the state of Wisconsin and the Dream Up! program is just one example of the work that FCF’s National Consulting team can do to support states, communities and child care providers. For more information about how FCF might be able to help in your state or community, contact infonational@firstchildrensfinance.org.
