WAUPUN — The Waupun City Council approved the use of ARPA funds to create a program to assist local childcare programs at last week’s City Council meeting. A total of $250,000 will be allocated towards the Childcare Stabilization Program, which can be used to create new opportunities for childcare providers or expand currently existing facilities.
ARPA, or the American Rescue Plan Act, was created by the Federal Government to help nationwide municipalities cover costs in local industries disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 shutdowns. After childcare stabilization was determined to be an eligible use of ARPA Funds, the Waupun Common Council identified childcare as one of the sectors most disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. A total of $250,000 from the $1.17 million ARPA fund that the City of Waupun received has been allocated to support the proposed program.
“What we’re really trying to do is increase the number of licensed slots either within existing facilities or the recruitment of new or in-home providers which would be another eligible way to think about these expenditures,” City Administrator Kathy Schlieve said at last Tuesday’s Council Meeting.
According to the City, Waupun lost a licensed childcare facility during the recovery from the COVID-19 shutdowns, leaving the City with only one currently licensed childcare facility serving the community.
“We’ve drafted a framework for programs that businesses could apply to,” Schlieve said. “The amount of funding that could be applied in any given situation varies based on the project they’re proposing.”
The draft of the program framework was included in the meeting agenda packet provided to the City Council members and publicly available on the municipal website. A list of eligible recipients and uses included both individuals and businesses looking to start childcare programs as well as current licensed childcare programs looking to expand their programs.
The program notes that preference will be given to applications submitted by childcare providers that are able to provide at least 48 weeks of care per year, a minimum of 50 hours of care per week, or care during non-traditional days/dayparts. Eligible individuals and businesses are able to apply up to 50% of the total program funding for childcare expenditures, as according to the guidelines provided in the rest of the framework.
The list of eligible expenses included facility renovations, childcare equipment (e.g. cribs, changing tables, playground equipment, books, educational toys, etc), recruitment and training compensation, purchasing or renting facilities for childcare, and health and safety supplies.
The draft also noted that eligible expenses must be incurred after May 31, 2023 and before December 31, 2026.
As part of the recommendation, Waupun’s Economic Development Committee (EDC) was authorized to review application submissions and approval allocations through the program framework. The City will also draft guidelines that allow them to work with the governments of Fond du Lac County and Dodge County to promote local childcare programs.
