MERRILL – Lincoln County is slated to host an event aimed at bringing together policymakers, employers, child care professionals, economic development leaders and community stakeholders for a regional conversation about child care and why it is one of the most pressing issues today.
Dream Up! Lincoln County and Advance Wisconsin Employment have partnered to host the Northwoods Forum on Child Care at the Lincoln County Service Center, 801 N. Sales St., Merrill, on Wednesday, Oct. 14.
A dinner reception, sponsored by Geiss Meat Service of Merrill, will kick off at 5 p.m., followed by the forum at 6 p.m.
The release said the Northwoods Forum is designed to encourage nonpartisan dialogue and collaboration among people who have a stake in the future of child care and the regional economy. Elected officials, candidates, employers, child care providers, parents, economic development professionals, community leaders and members of the public are encouraged to attend.
According to a release from the Child Care Coalition of Wisconsin, the Northwoods Forum will “examine the current child care landscape and its impact on families, employers, communities and the future of northern Wisconsin.”
The release said the discussion will focus on three central questions:
The forum will feature a diverse panel representing state policy, child care and workforce development:
The panel discussion will be moderated by Sara Guild, Director of the Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation, and Elsa Duranceau, President and CEO of the Child Care Coalition of Wisconsin (3CWI).
“Child care is often discussed as a social service, but it is also workforce infrastructure and economic infrastructure,” Duranceau stated. “If we want northern Wisconsin communities to remain places where families can live, businesses can grow and employers can find workers, we have to address child care as a fundamental part of that infrastructure.”
“Solving the child care challenge requires communities to move beyond identifying the problem and begin building solutions together,” Krueger said. “This forum provides an opportunity for people across sectors to have that conversation.”
The event is part of the broader Dream Up! Lincoln County effort to strengthen working-family infrastructure and support the long-term economic vitality of Lincoln County and the surrounding Northwoods region, according to the release.
About Dream Up! Lincoln County
Dream Up! Lincoln County is a community initiative focused on strengthening Lincoln County’s future by bringing residents, businesses, organizations and community leaders together to address challenges and create opportunities for working families.
The initiative recognizes child care as essential infrastructure for a strong workforce and thriving community.
About Advance Wisconsin Employment
Advance Wisconsin Employment works to strengthen Wisconsin’s workforce by connecting employers, workers and communities and advancing strategies that support employment and economic opportunity.
About the Child Care Coalition of Wisconsin (3CWI)
The Child Care Coalition of Wisconsin (3CWI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting Wisconsin’s workforce through innovative child care programs and partnerships.
3CWI works with employers, child care professionals and communities to develop solutions that strengthen the child care workforce and help meet the needs of Wisconsin’s working families.
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