Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

(MADISON) – The Department of Workforce Development (DWD) has announced the creation of a new campaign designed to emphasize the importance and need for qualified child care professionals.

"The demand for qualified personnel in the child care industry has never been greater," said DWD Secretary Jennifer Reinert. "This program will emphasize child care as a rewarding career choice," she said.

The campaign was developed to promote child care as a meaningful profession. Emphasis is placed upon how to become a child care professional, why it is a good career choice for young adults and older workers and the rewards offered in a child care career. Specifically, the campaign stresses the impact a child care professional has on early childhood development and support for working families.

"The need for child care workers is growing twice as fast as overall occupational growth in Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, there are nearly 800 growth and replacement openings for child  care workers each year," added Secretary Reinert.

To address the problem of staff turnover, Wisconsin has awarded more than $8.8 million to 849 child care agencies for quality improvement for accreditation, staff training, staff benefits and efforts to reduce turnover.

An informational 12-minute video and brochure are available at all Job Centers throughout Wisconsin. The video is also available to high school career centers, libraries, child care resource and referral agencies, technical schools and other interested partners upon request. Copies of the video will be available through the Child Care Information Center at 1-800-362-7353.

Radio and television spots, including public service announcements, will help to broaden the understanding and the importance of the child care profession. These announcements are scheduled for broadcast during the months of January and February.

For further information contact your local child care resource and referral agency at 1-888-713-KIDS (5437) or your Job Center. The toll free number to find the Job Center nearest you is 1-888-258-9966.

"The DWD is committed to supporting quality child care for families throughout Wisconsin," Secretary Reinert said. "Through this campaign we are encouraging individuals who share that commitment to make child care their career choice."

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