Call or email your legislators now and urge them to support continued investment into Wisconsin’s Childcare System!

For more information and guidance on contacting your legislators, our friends at Raising Wisconsin have great resource guides here: Advocacy Tools & Resources | Raising Wisconsin

Find phone and email contact information for your elected officials: Wisconsin Legislative District Viewer Enter your address in the top right!

Sample language to use when calling or emailing your legislators:

Parents and caregivers:

Dear (Elected Representative),

My name is (first and last name), and I am a constituent of your district. I’m writing today to share the challenges I am experiencing with Wisconsin’s childcare crisis. I urge you to support investments in our state’s early care and education system, families with young children and childcare professionals including a $340 million investment in Child Care Counts at the special session later this month.

I am a (parent or caregiver) of (number) children who has had an increasingly difficult time finding childcare in our area here in (my location). That’s because we live in an area where care is scarce and therefore nearly impossible to find. In fact, about 50 percent of the state, and 70 percent of Wisconsin’s rural areas, are considered childcare deserts.

Care is not only difficult to find but it’s also extremely costly. We pay ($$$$$) a year for childcare. This puts a strain on an already tight budget, especially in times of other increasing costs and economic challenges. I have considered whether it makes more fiscal sense to leave my job to stay home to care for my children rather than sending them to childcare. This also is a choice many other families are forced to consider. Of course, this continued trend impacts our state and national economies – in Wisconsin to the tune of $4.2 to $6.4 billion in estimated lost economic productivity over the long term.

I am deeply concerned about the state of childcare here in Wisconsin. I urge you to support a $340 million investment in Child Care Counts at the special session later this month. Additionally, I am concerned about the regulatory changes proposed in AB 390, AB 391, and AB 392 and the safety of our children in care. I urge you to keep the safety of our kids forefront and oppose these measures.

Thank you in advance for your time, consideration and support of investments into our childcare infrastructure.

Please feel free to contact me if would like additional information.
Sincerely,
(First and Last Name)
(Location)

Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and other concerned adults:

Dear (Elected Representative),

My name is (first and last name), and I am a constituent of your district. I’m writing today to share the concerns I have with Wisconsin’s childcare crisis. I urge you to support investments in our state’s early care and education system, families with young children and childcare professionals including a $340 million investment in Child Care Counts at the special session later this month.

I am a (grandparent, aunt, uncle, other relation) of (number) children. Our family has had an increasingly difficult time finding childcare in our area here in (my location). That’s because we live in an area where care is scarce and therefore nearly impossible to find. In fact, about 50 percent of the state, and 70 percent of Wisconsin’s rural areas, are considered childcare deserts.

Care is not only difficult to find but it’s also extremely costly. My family spends ($$$$$) a year for childcare. This puts a strain on an already tight budget, especially in times of other increasing costs and economic challenges. Our family has considered whether it makes more fiscal sense for an adult to leave their job to stay home to care for the children rather than sending them to childcare. This also is a choice many other families are forced to consider. Of course, this continued trend impacts our state and national economies – in Wisconsin to the tune of $4.2 to $6.4 billion in estimated lost economic productivity over the long term.

Thank you in advance for your time, consideration and support of investments into our childcare infrastructure.

Please feel free to contact me if would like additional information.
Sincerely,
(First and Last Name)
(Location)

For Employers and economic leaders:

Dear (Elected Representative),

I am a (business owner/economic official) from (location). At (business/organization), we have experienced workforce productivity challenges, employee absenteeism and other operational challenges as an increasing number of our employees struggle to find and maintain childcare options for their children. We also have
seen employees choose to leave full-time employment or the workforce entirely because of the cost and availability challenges they face.

This, of course, leads to a decline in business productivity and has a lasting effect on the state and national economies. It’s estimated Wisconsin is set to lose $4.2 to $6.4 billion in economic productivity over the long term due to child care. Child care is essential for the healthy development of our youngest children and,
importantly, it’s also a critical tool for thriving businesses, economies and our communities.

Thank you in advance for your time, consideration and support of investments into our childcare infrastructure.

Please feel free to contact me if would like additional information.
Sincerely,
(First and Last Name)
(Location)

Childcare Call to Action

Call or email your legislators now and urge them to support continued investment into Wisconsin’s Childcare System!