Many people have asked how the Aldo Leopold Nature Center is affected by cuts in state and federal funds to nonprofits…

Let us tell you… Loss of Child Care Counts funding will negatively impact our organization, our industry, and our community as a whole.

Direct Impact to Aldo Leopold Nature Center with the elimination of Child Care Counts:

• Loss of $75K per year in Child Care Counts funding, negatively impacting our budget, driving up program fees, and capping staff salaries
• Closure of neighborhood child care centers, increasing demand and competition for our programs

Indirect Impacts:

• Unaffordable and inaccessible child care adding stress on working families, negatively impacting children’s development and parents’ ability to work and thrive in today’s economy

What can YOU do?

Call or email your local representatives to share why Child Care Counts is so important. We’ve included example scripts below, courtesy of our friends at WECA (Wisconsin Early Childhood Association). Please feel free to add your own personal story to the script.

Don’t know who your Wisconsin legislators are? Find them here.

 

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Provider Email or Phone script:

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a child care provider in [City/Town] and also a constituent in your district.
In the last year, I’ve seen [insert a brief real issue—examples: staff leave the field, families turned away, unaffordable tuition for parents, or nearby centers close].
I’m reaching out because child care funding must be included in the 2025–27 state budget. Without it, programs like mine are at risk of closing—and families will face higher costs.
Federal relief is ending this month, and without state investment, things will get worse for Wisconsin’s children, families, and workforce.
Please make child care a priority in this budget. Our communities depend on it.
Thank you,
[Your name and contact info]

 

Parent Email or Phone script:

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a parent in [City/Town] as well as a constituent in your district.
I’m calling because I believe strong families are the foundation of a strong community. Right now, many child care programs across Wisconsin are closing, and the cost of care is rising as federal relief ends.
I’m asking you to support funding for early learning and care—it’s one way we can protect children and support working parents.
Child care is essential: parents can’t work without it, and children miss out on critical early learning years when care isn’t available. This is an issue that impacts our whole community.
Please make child care funding a priority in the 2025–27 state budget.
Thank you,
[Your name and contact info]

 

Community Member Email or Phone script:

Hi, my name is [Your Name], and I’m a constituent in your district from [City/Town].
I’m contacting you because I believe strong families are the foundation of a strong community. Right now, many child care programs across Wisconsin are closing, and the cost of care is rising as federal relief ends.
I’m asking you to support funding for early learning and care—it’s one way we can protect children and support working parents.
Child care is essential: parents can’t work without it, and children miss out on critical early learning years when care isn’t available. This is an issue that impacts our whole community.
Please make child care funding a priority in the 2025–27 state budget.
Thank you,
[Your name and contact info]