Business
Funding incentives to attract child care workers brings La Crosse community groups together
Some community organizations in La Crosse are banding together to recruit more child care workers in the area.
A campaign called QUEST has been started, aimed at increasing funds for hiring or training child care professionals.
Claire Bakalars from the Western Wisconsin Workforce Development Board said at a news conference Tuesday the project will choose candidates to train for child care work.
“We will pay vendors, providers directly,” Bakalars said. “So if you’re going to (Western Tech) for early childhood education, we will go ahead and pay your tuition costs, your books, your fees. We’ll support you, so that way it removes those barriers for people.”
Bakalars wants to see workers improve their skills and advance within the child care profession, possibly becoming directors of child care centers.
Representatives of the Parenting Place, the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association and La Crosse County also are involved in the project.
The funding provided by participating groups could develop up to 20 positions for child care workers in western Wisconsin.