Creation of the Quality Counts for Kids Task Force

The Governor's "Quality Counts for Kids" proposal did not pass the legislature, however, DWD is still committed to working on a system that will help parents make informed decisions about the care of their children. DWD is continuing to work with our partners to determine if there are key elements of the Quality Care for Quality Kids platform we can implement.

Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle

In June 2004, Governor Jim Doyle announced his appointments to the Quality Counts for Kids Task Force. The task force initially met on Monday, June 21 to begin developing the Quality Counts for Kids program that will – for the first time – rate the quality of child care providers in Wisconsin and guide parents in choosing a provider for their children.

Under the program, child care facilities will be inspected by a trained professional, evaluated on a set of standards, and given a rating of a certain number of stars. This Quality Counts for Kids rating will be available to parents, giving them the information they need to make informed choices about providers. The program is part of Governor Doyle's KidsFirst Initiative.

"This task force will help us develop a rating system that will give child care providers incentives to go above and beyond the basic standards of quality," Governor Doyle said. "It will also give our parents, who are making important decisions about what child care center is best for their child, more information about the quality of the providers."

By considering these ratings in determining reimbursement, the state can encourage child care providers to improve the quality of their care. Other states have found that a similar system creates a powerful incentive for providers to improve quality.

"This program will give child care providers an incentive to improve," Secretary Gassman said. "Wisconsin now spends more than $300 million a year on the Wisconsin Shares childcare subsidy program for W-2 participants and other low-income working parents. This program will ensure the money is well spent."

Roberta Gassman, Secretary of the Department of Workforce Development (DWD), and Helene Nelson, Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Services (DHFS) will convene the panel on Monday. Along with DWD and DHFS, the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) will assist the panel in developing recommendations. The University of Wisconsin Extension Research Partnership and the Health and Human Services Planning Council also are involved in the effort.

The panel, representing a diverse group of urban and rural providers and advocates, will meet monthly to develop a proposed rating system by September 2004. The task force will then hold public hearings and make its recommendations to the Governor in December. Announced in May, Governor Doyle's KidsFirst Initiative is a comprehensive plan to ensure that Wisconsin's kids are healthy, safe, prepared for success, and supported by strong families.