Prepared May, 2009
STATISTICS and TRENDS
2008 Statistics
1,298 children were enrolled in the following six child care centers:
n The Cornerstone, 345 N. Broadway *
n Arlene B. Walter, 338 Hartung Street *
n Bellin Center, 2589 S. Webster Avenue
n The Rosebush, 1275 University Avenue *
n De Pere Center, 2000 Lawrence Dr., De Pere *
n Carol B. Bush Center, 500 Pine Street
(* Sliding fee available through United Way and Encompass Early Education and Care funding)
- Increased diversity is recognized throughout the agency. On any given day, approximately 29% of the children cared for at these 6 centers are not white, Caucasian. (2008 actual: American Indian - 66, Asian - 19,
Afro-American - 155, Hispanic - 136, Hawaiian - 1)
- 49% of children served were from single parent families.
- 152 of these children had identifiable special needs.
- 28 additional children were referred for Early Childhood Special Education Services.
- 440 children or 34% qualified for free meals through USDA and 113 or 9% qualified for reduced meals.
- 206 families grossed less than $25,000.
- Added to these figures, 107 families received food stamps.
- $79,720 was spent by the agency on the following: white milk - $29,053, wheat bread - $8,413
fresh fruit - $14,783, acrylic gloves - $6,068, baby formula - $6,113 and
art and craft supplies - $15,290.
- 18 teen parents received care for their children.
- 64 homeless children received care at Encompass during 2008.
- In addition to the above, 200 children attended the Encompass nursery school program, Children's Day Out.
Current Trends:
- Parents are working different shifts and piecing together other care arrangements to minimize the cost for child care. The increased cost of food and gas is impacting families.
- Wisconsin Shares, the federal and state program that helps subsidize the cost of child care for low-income families, is facing severe deficits. Policy changes have significantly impacted families trying to afford quality care for their children
- More children are exhibiting behaviors which indicate a need for referrals, special programs, small group sizes, medical care plans, etc.
- Families require more flexible child care arrangements. Many jobs no longer fit into the traditional Monday through Friday 7-3, 8-5 or 9-6 time frames.
- Middle-income families cannot afford the cost of quality care and often need to choose sub-standard care options.
- 4-year-old kindergarten has grown 70% over the past 7 years in Wisconsin.
- Employers increasingly recognize the need for family friendly workplace policies. However, few employers are committed to subsidizing the cost of child care for their employees.
- Need for under age 2 care continues to increase but is the most costly care to provide and many parents cannot afford it.
- Child care for school age parents, before and after school and days off of school care and child care for children who are sick are often cited as needs by parents.
- Due to on-going research, national attention is increasingly being drawn to the importance of the early years.
- Child care centers are being looked at nationally as an ideal place to offer support to parents through the "Strengthening Families" Program.
- Encompass has seen more families who are transient in nature.
- A national movement to recognize the importance of years 0-5 is gaining momentum.
A United Way Member Agency |
Prepared February 2009
