AB 996

This bill increases funding for child care subsidies under the Wisconsin Shares

program and requires the Department of Children and Families to increase

maximum payment rates for licensed child care services provided under Wisconsin

Shares no later than 30 days after the bill goes into effect.

The Wisconsin Works (W-2) program under current law, which is administered

by DCF, provides work experience and benefits for low-income custodial parents who

are at least 18 years old. Also, an individual who is the parent of a child under the

age of 13 or, if the child is disabled, under the age of 19, who needs child care services

to participate in various educational or work activities, and who satisfies other

eligibility criteria may receive a child care subsidy for child care services under the

W-2 program. This child care subsidy program is known as Wisconsin Shares.

Under current law, DCF is directed to allocate in each fiscal year specific

amounts of money, including federal moneys received under the Temporary

Assistance for Needy Families block grant program, for various public assistance

programs. Current law directs DCF to allocate $365,700,400 in fiscal year 2020-21

for direct child care services under Wisconsin Shares. This bill increases that

allocation to $416,700,400.

The bill directs that DCF increase child care payment rates under Wisconsin

Shares no later than 30 days after the bill goes into effect.