by Kevin Zimmermann
MADISON, WI (WHBL) – While most Wisconsin residents retreat into their homes to ride out the coronavirus pandemic, families involved in providing essential services are finding themselves in a bind: who takes care of the kids while the parents are working?
Various state agencies uncovered the problem last week after surveying health care workers and other essential workers. What they found was a shortage of child care givers needed to help families still working to keep those essential services flowing. Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Secretary Emilie Amundson said her agency quickly worked with the Wisconsin Hospital Association and the Department of Health Services to develop on-site care at the state’s hospital and health care facilities. The Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCAs, child care providers as well as the business and non-profit community are also working to coordinate drop-in care for health care workers in certain regions.
Hazard pay funding is being sought by the DCF to help cover a shortage of child care that already existed before the coronavirus pandemic. Amundson urged those with the luxury of keeping kids at home to do so, freeing space for children of essential service providers.
