Meeting Mondays in SD 19 (June 29)

What happens when child care funding disappears? This week, I’m sitting down with Tiffany and Virginia, co-owners of Joyful Beginnings Academy in Dale, to talk about what the end of Child Care Counts funding means for child care providers, and for families, employers, and communities across Wisconsin. For years, these women have poured everything they have into caring for children while advocating for an industry that is often overlooked despite being essential to our economy. We talked a bit about the realities behind running a child care center, the challenges providers face every day, and why the expiration of Child Care Counts could have ripple effects far beyond their walls. These conversations aren’t about political parties. They’re about listening to the people closest to the problem. My concern is this: when parents can’t find or afford child care, they can’t go to work. Businesses struggle to hire. Communities lose an essential service. Child care isn’t just a family issue, it’s an economic one. I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments. If there’s an issue or a person you think I should feature in a future episode, let me know. If you enjoyed this conversation, subscribe for a new episode every Monday as we continue putting people over politics and listening before we lead. 🇺🇸