The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) awarded over $20 million in Project Growth grants to 28 cross-sector community teams and over 100 businesses to help solve the challenges facing Wisconsin’s child care system and bolster the state’s economy.
Progress Lakeshore was one of the twelve applicants that was awarded the Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building Grant to participate in the spring cohort. Administered by First Children’s Finance, Progress Lakeshore and its Core Team will receive strategic planning support and $75,000 in grant funding to evaluate, plan, sustain, expand existing child care, and support new child care programs in Manitowoc County. Additional $5,000 stipends will be allocated to participating child care providers who submit business improvement plans during the strategic planning process.
“This is a great collaborative opportunity for our community organizations to address the critical need to increase quality Early Childhood Education capacity, supporting our families, child care providers, and employers,” said Executive Director Jamie Zastrow. “The guidance, technical assistance, and funding provided by this grant gives us resources to strategically address this important issue. Our Core Team is anxious to get to work!”
The Core Team working with Progress Lakeshore on this project include representatives from The Chamber of Manitowoc County, United Way, The Y, Family Connections Inc., Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry, Froedtert/Holy Family Memorial, Advocate Aurora, Manitowoc County Human Services, Precious Memories Daycare and Preschool, Lakeshore CAP, Lakeshore Technical College, UnitedOne Credit Union, Mishicot School District, Formrite Companies, Manitowoc County Board, and Boys and Girls Club of Manitowoc County.
