Executive Director
State of Wisconsin
Legislative Audit Bureau
January 9, 2001
The Honorable, The Legislature:
As part of our ongoing audits of the Wisconsin Works (W-2) program required by s.
49.141(2g)(a), Wis. Stats., we have completed an evaluation of Wisconsin Shares, the State's child care subsidy program. This program, which is administered by the Department of Workforce Development, was created by
1995 Wisconsin Act 289 to assist W-2 participants and other low-income working families in paying for child care.
In fiscal year (FY) 1999-2000, approximately 33,000 families and 60,500 children participated in the program at a cost of $191.3 million in federal and state funds. FY 1999-2000 expenditures exceeded budgeted levels by $10.2 million, primarily because of increased program participation that was, in part, the result of changes made in the 1999-2001 biennial budget expanding eligibility and reducing family copayments.
From September 1997 through June 2000, monthly program participation increased by 83.5 percent, growing from 18,671 to 34,268. It was estimated that in 1998, approximately 14 percent of eligible children participated in the program. Given that participation rates in several other midwestern states are greater than 20 percent of those eligible, there appears to be a realistic potential for continued growth in Wisconsin if more families choose to take advantage of the program and if adequate funding remains available. However, the extent of future growth is difficult to project based on the newness of the program and the numerous changes made to it since its inception.
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As part of the program, the Department also administers contracts and grants designed to improve the quality and availability of child care services. We believe that improvements in the management of these types of grants are needed to ensure that $11.4 million in increased funding that will be provided to local entities is spent appropriately. In addition, if participation increases and expenditures continue to rise substantially, the Legislature will have to consider a variety of issues related to program funding, eligibility, and benefits.
We appreciate the courtesy and cooperation extended to us by the Department of Workforce Development and staff of the local agencies we visited. The Department's response is Appendix 4.
Sincerely,
Janice Mueller
State Auditor
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State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
December 28, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Orton
, John R.,
of Mauston, as a member of the Lower Wisconsin State Riverway Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2003.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 30, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Whittow, George W.,
of Waupaca, as a member of the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2006.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Economic Development and Corrections.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
December 22, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Kiel
, Douglas G.,
of Wauwatosa, as a member of the Bradley Center Sports and Entertainment Corporation, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2006.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Economic Development and Corrections.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 27, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Cupp
, Mark E.,
of Blue River, as a member of the Land and Water Conservation Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2004.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 27, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Nowacki, Richard,
of Pewaukee, as a member of the Land and Water Conservation Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2002.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 27, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Uphoff
, Robert,
of Dunn, as a member of the Land and Water Conservation Board, to serve for the term ending May 1, 2003.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 27, 2000
The Honorable, The Senate:
I am pleased to nominate and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint Wade
, Representative Joan, of Mecan, as a member of the Snowmobile Recreation Council, to serve for the term ending July 1, 2003.
Sincerely,
TOMMY G. THOMPSON
Governor
Read and referred to committee on Environmental Resources.
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
November 27, 2000
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The Honorable, The Senate:
