ARPA-funded childcare scholarship program reports early gains; $40,000 distributed so far

Representatives from Child Caring updated the committee on the ARPA-funded Childcare Foundational Training and Scholarship (CFTS) program serving Marathon County.

Kelly Borchard (Child Caring) introduced Rachel (program director), who reported enrollment and completion figures and explained program adjustments made to improve access. Program staff said 15 Marathon County participants completed the initial intake survey and enrolled in courses; five participants had completed the scholarship program (defined as completion of required foundational courses) at the time of the update, and four participants were actively enrolled. Four participants had withdrawn for reasons reported as family/emergency or unspecified. "So far we've had 5 that have completed the scholarship program," Rachel said.

Course structure and stipends: foundational courses include an Introduction to the Childcare Profession (50 hours) and Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Care (50 hours); family childcare providers require an additional 30-hour Fundamentals of Family Childcare course and group centers require a 50-hour Skills and Strategies course. Child Caring described the stipend distribution structure: family childcare providers receive $2,500 after completing the first course and an additional $2,500 once they become regulated (total $5,000); group childcare programs receive $5,000 directed to the program (with $2,500 slated for onboarding and $2,500 for employee incentive pay). Program staff reported $40,000 in stipends awarded to date.

Program outcomes and impact: staff said two family childcare providers completed training and subsequently became regulated providers; the program reported two new family childcare programs added and an estimated 16 regulated slots from those providers. Child Caring staff also said the county has gained "about 120 slots" since the beginning of 2025 across different providers, a figure they said reflects a broader count of regulated capacity changes. Program staff noted the program primarily helps retain and upskill existing workers and enables programs to open rooms or maintain capacity by providing trained lead teachers.

Supervisor questions focused on measurable outcomes: committee members asked how many new slots were directly attributable to the scholarship versus retention. Child Caring said it could confirm two new family childcare providers (16 slots) directly attributable to the training and that other effects (such as enabling centers to avoid closing classrooms due to staffing loss) are harder to attribute in the short term.

Staff said the program will continue enrollment through 2026, deliver additional courses, and continue tracking participant employment outcomes. Child Caring requested continued county support for program monitoring and indicated it will submit quarterly reports to county staff.