10 Apr Wisconsin to get $34 million in stimulus funds for child care and vaccinations
Vice President Joe Biden this week announced that Wisconsin will receive about $34 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds for health and human service programs that will provide care for children and prevent disease. The state will receive $34,399,256, much of which will support child care for working families, $30,493,313, and another $3,905,943 for vaccines, Biden announced as the nation marked National Public Health Week.
The at provides $2 billion nationwide for the Child Care and Development Fund to allow states stimulus to support child care services for working parents, those seeking employment or receiving job training or education. States can provide vouchers to families for child care or to provide access to care through contracts with child care centers or invest in quality improvements. These dollars will support a wide range of child care providers, including child care centers and home-based programs.
“Parents are worried about finding a job or keeping the job they have and they shouldn’t have to worry about affording quality child care,” according to Biden. “Safe, affordable, high-quality child care gives working parents the peace of mind they need to be stable, dependable employees.”
In addition the act funds $300 million for underserved Americans to get needed vaccines. A majority of funds will go toward purchasing vaccines, which will be distributed through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Section 317 immunization program to all states, several large cities, and U.S. territories. Funding will also be used to support national public information campaigns regarding vaccines and support grants to states that demonstrate innovative new ways to ensure more Americans receive the vaccines they need.