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Dunn County launches childcare action team to study affordable, shift‑friendly care
Summary
County Extension and community partners have formed a Health Done Right childcare action team to survey employers and explore employer‑sponsored and other models to address affordable, shift‑work childcare identified as a top community health concern.
Garrett, co‑chair of the Health Done Right childcare action team, told the committee the team formed from the county’s community health improvement planning process after affordable childcare was named one of the county’s top five health concerns. “We launched that initiative in January and have been meeting about monthly so far,” he said.
The group includes partners from UW–Stout’s early childhood lab, the local chamber of commerce, family‑friendly workplace advocates, childcare support organizations, and statewide groups such as Raising Wisconsin. Garrett said the team plans employer surveys to map specific needs—particularly for second and third shift workers—and to test alternatives such as employer‑sponsored centers modeled on a program in Osceola.
The committee was told the effort is early-stage: meetings have focused on identifying partners and potential action items and the group is preparing a survey with the chamber to capture employer needs. Garrett described the group’s intent as pragmatic: identify “creative alternatives that might work in Dunn County” to improve access and affordability while supporting parents’ ability to work.
The committee asked Garrett to keep members updated; Garrett said a follow-up meeting was scheduled the next day. The exchange was informational; no formal county action was taken at the meeting.
