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Innovative Solutions for the Child Care Industry

The Child Care Coalition of Wisconsin (3CWI) is a nonprofit organization established in 2023 to address the child care industry crisis, with a mission to reinforce the Wisconsin workforce by supporting child care professionals to meet the demands of Wisconsin families through innovative programs and partnerships.

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Our Purpose

To Reinforce Wisconsin's Workforce

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Our Mission

Supporting child care professionals to meet the demands of Wisconsin's working families through innovative programs and partnerships

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Our Vision

Ensuring all Wisconsin Child Care Professionals Have the Means to Thrive

Industry Issues

Child Care Providers

  • Operating costs exceed revenue

  • Low worker wages

  • Workforce shortage

  • Not operating at capacity (closed classrooms)

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Families

  • The cost of child care services in Wisconsin exceeds 22% average yearly salary

  • Scarce slot availability

  • Parents leaving workforce due to high cost of care

  • Families choosing not to have children

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Employers

  • Workforce shortages

  • Reduced workforce participation

  • Employee turnover

  • Decreased employee productivity and engagement

  • Loss of revenue

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The State

  • Economic Impact:

  • The child care crisis costs the state at least $1.1 billion annually in lost economic productivity due to parents leaving the workforce or reducing work hours​ (DCF Child Care Issue).

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Industry Issues

From the Perspective of Providers, Families, Employers, and the State

Industry Issues

From the Perspective of Providers, Families, Employers, and the State

Our Approach

Shared Services Network

Events

Innovative Solutions Luncheon - Hudson, WI

About Us

Our Team and Supporting Agencies

Child Care Providers

  • Operating costs exceed revenue

  • Low worker wages

  • Workforce shortage

  • Not operating at capacity (closed classrooms)

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Families

  • The cost of child care services in Wisconsin exceeds 22% average yearly salary

  • Scarce slot availability

  • Parents leaving workforce to stay home with their children

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Employers

  • Workforce shortages

  • Reduced workforce participation

  • Employee turnover

  • Decreased employee productivity and engagement

  • Loss of revenue

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The State

  • Economic Impact:

  • The child care crisis costs the state at least $1.1 billion annually in lost economic productivity due to parents leaving the workforce or reducing work hours​ (DCF Child Care Issue).

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Issue Papers & References

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Breaking Down the Child Care Crisis

DCF-P-5805 (N. 09/2024)  
Breaking Down the Child Care Crisis | Wisconsin Department of Children and Families

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Child Care Supply and Demand Challenges in Wisconsin

September 2024

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Issue Papers & References

INDUSTRY IMPACT

Increased revenue could lead to:

Child Care Providers

  • Higher wages

  • Ability to hire more staff

  • Increased staffing could lead to operating at capacity

  • Less stress knowing that overhead costs are met

  • Increased competition in labor market

Families

  • Lower costs for families

  • ​Increased slot availability and choice of provider

  • Parents would have the choice of returning to or remaining in the workforce

Employers

  • Employee retention and attraction

  • Increased workforce participation

  • Lower employee turnover

  • Increased employee productivity and engagement

  • Increased revenue

  • Family Friendly Workplace

The State

  • Economic Impact:

  • Increased economic productivity and stimulates growth.

  • The child care crisis costs the state at least $1.1 billion annually in lost economic productivity due to parents leaving the workforce or reducing work hours​ (DCF Child Care Issue).

Our Approach


Pilot Membership programs for Employers and Child Care Providers.

Child Care Provider Memberships require that each provider has an active child care business and accepts Wisconsin Shares. This will allow providers to list future available slots on our

Care Connect - Reserve Platform 

Provider Memberships

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Memberships for Employers will include access to our Care Connect - Reserve platform that will provide a direct connection to future slot availability.

Our initial launch will be in Lincoln, Langlade, and St Croix Counties.

Employer Memberships

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Care Connect - Reserve

Our membership program offers the Care Connect - Reserve, a reservation platform connecting employers with child care providers over an AI powered calendar with location services, direct messaging, and no employer contracts. This unique service aims to bring increased revenue to child care providers, helping them to meet their overhead costs, increase worker wages, hire additional staff and ultimately operate at capacity which would lead to increased child care availability for families.

Events

Pink Poppy Flowers

Dream Up! Lincoln County

December 18, 2025

10:00AM - 12:00PM

Tomahawk Chamber of Commerce

Virtual: meet.google.com/czk-xrjq-hti

December's meeting will focus on Head Start updates and the next steps in strategic planning: SWOT Analysis. 

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Donate

SUPPORT 3CWI

Your generous gift will go towards the pilot launch of our innovative platform. With your help, we can bring to reality a solid solution to the child care industry crisis that will help families, child care providers, employers, and our communities!

Donation
$25
$50
$100
$250
$500
$1,000

Funds raised will go towards: 

  • Provider Onboarding

  • Outreach and Materials​​

  • Member Portals

  • Coalition Building

  • ​Dream Up! Adopt a Provider

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3CWI Board

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Elsa Duranceau

President, Executive Director

Merrill, WI

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Jennifer Whipps

Vice President

Wausau, WI

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Viacheslav Sikazan

Treasurer

Madison, WI

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William Bialecki

Board Member

Merrill, WI

Join Our Email List

For quarterly updates and important announcements

With Support From

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Contact us

Phone

715-527-0468

Location

W3478 County Line Rd, Merrill, WI 54452

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