May 14, 2024
This episode features a conversation with Early Childhood Project Manager Jo Nowak-Thompson from the Northwest Wisconsin Workforce Investment Board (NWWIB), to discuss the pressing issue of childcare and its impact on the workforce. Jo delves into the current state of childcare in the Northwest Wisconsin region, highlighting the limited number of regulated programs and the challenges faced by both parents and providers. She also explains the connection between accessible, affordable, and high-quality childcare and workforce participation, emphasizing the need for competitive wages and benefits for childcare workers.