Gov. Tony Evers recently indicated the Child Care Counts Program may not continue after June 2025 due to a lack of funding from the biennial budget, potentially putting up to 25 percent of Wisconsin childcare facilities at risk of closing.

This statement is largely accurate based on available information but requires some context for precision.

Program Continuation and Funding
The Child Care Counts Program, which provides stabilization payments to childcare providers, is indeed set to end in June 2025 unless additional funding is secured. Gov. Evers extended the program through June 2025 using $170 million in federal emergency funds (from FEMA reimbursements and underspent pandemic relief) after the Republican-controlled Legislature declined to allocate state funds in the 2023-25 biennial budget to continue it. This aligns with the claim that the program faces discontinuation due to a lack of funding in the biennial budget.

1. 25% of Facilities at Risk: A 2025 survey commissioned by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) and conducted by the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s Institute for Research on Poverty found that 25 percent of child care providers indicated they are “somewhat or more likely” to close if Child Care Counts funding ends, with 10 percent saying closure is “very or extremely likely.” This supports the statement’s claim that up to 25 percent of facilities could be at risk.

2. Gov. Evers’ Statement: While the exact phrasing may vary, Evers has publicly emphasized the program’s importance and the risks of its termination. For example, in April 2025, he released the survey results to advocate for $480 million in childcare funding in the 2025-27 budget, warning of closures and economic impacts without continued support. Posts on X and news reports also attribute similar sentiments to him, reinforcing that he has highlighted the 25 percent figure and the June 2025 deadline.

Context and Nuance

The program’s end is not guaranteed; it depends on whether the Legislature approves new funding in the 2025-27 budget. Evers has proposed $480 million to sustain childcare support, but past Republican resistance (e.g., rejecting $340 million in 2023) suggests uncertainty.

• The 25 percent figure is based on survey responses, not a definitive prediction, as closure likelihood varies by provider size, location, and financial situation. Rural areas may face higher risks.
• The statement could be slightly misleading if interpreted as Evers definitively stating that 25 percent will close, as he’s framing it as a potential outcome absent action.

In summary, the statement is accurate in reflecting Evers’ warnings, the program’s funding status, and the survey’s findings, though the risk of closures is a projection, not a certainty.