MISSION
The Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR) strengthens UW–Madison by expanding access to high-quality child care and education programs, providing family support, and administering the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP) for parenting students. By supporting faculty, staff, and students as they balance work, academics, and family life, OCCFR fosters a thriving campus community, enhances productivity, and improves recruitment and retention.
VISION
We envision a campus where all UW families have access to affordable, high-quality child care and parenting support that empowers them to succeed academically and professionally.
Impact
Investing in family support directly contributes UW-Madison’s short- and long-term success by strengthening student persistence and graduation, reducing turnover and hiring costs, and enhancing employee recruitment and retention. These efforts promote financial savings through lower recruitment and hiring expenses, sustained and improved tuition revenue growth, and a stable, high-performing workforce. By strengthening the university’s ability to attract, recruit, and retain top talent and students, OCCFR plays a critical role in UW-Madison’s financial sustainability, institutional excellence, and future growth.
Core Beliefs
COMMITMENT: We believe that a family-friendly campus is essential to the success and well-being of all UW families. By recognizing their unique responsibilities and contributions, we are committed to strong support systems, including access to high-quality, affordable child care and education programs. We strive to foster a welcoming and supportive environment where every family feels valued, supported, and empowered to thrive, enabling them to achieve their academic and professional goals.
RESPECT: We believe in a culture of service leadership where gratitude, kindness, and open communication guide our interactions with everyone we serve.
COLLABORATIONS: We believe that working together with campus and community partners yields the most transformative outcomes for families and children.
FUTURE GENERATIONS: We believe that high-quality child care has a lasting impact, improving the health and educational outcomes of young children and ensuring a brighter future for their families for generations to come.
What We Do
Administer child care tuition assistance programs
We manage two financial assistance programs for eligible parenting students - the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program (CCTAP) and a federal grant, Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS). We also coordinate access to a reduced rate back-up child care program open to students, faculty, and staff.
Offer parent and family events, seminars, and resources
We create opportunities for connection through events like our annual Lil’ Badger Bash Backpack Giveaway or parent programming like our Lunch 'n' Learn seminars. We also coordinate other resources like our Parent Support listserv and Campus Lactation Room Map.
Create access to high-quality early child care
We continuously work to address the need for affordable, high-quality child care by building strategic partnerships with campus and community centers, as well as family child care providers, which makes up the UW-Madison Child Care System.
Support early childhood educator professional development, retention, and recruitment
We support UW's Campus & Network Child Care Centers by offering professional development, grants, and funding for national accreditation in order to create access to healthy, safe, and enriching child care. Through student teaching assistant jobs, internships, and research opportunities at our Campus Centers, we also advance the university's commitment to teaching and learning while growing a future workforce of early childhood educators.
Advocate for a parent-friendly campus
We are a powerful voice for student-parents. We chair the University Child Care Committee, made up of campus leadership, faculty, staff, students, parents to address the ever-pressing needs of early childhood care.
Grow investments for campus child care and early childhood educators
Your gifts help children thrive in top-notch learning environments, ensure struggling student parents stay on the path to degree completion, and empower our early educators to achieve their vast potential.