Explore a range of resources for UW–Madison employees, including HR benefits, emergency funding, parenting resources, and connections to community assistance. Some resources may be dependent on your appointment type. Please connect with the HR Contact for your division, school, or college with questions about your employee category or contact our office with questions.
UW Financial Resources
Mary Czynszak-Lyne University Staff Child Care Award Fund
The Mary Czynszak‑Lyne University Staff Child Care Award offers one-time discretionary support to full-time employees with University Staff appointments who need help covering child care costs during emergencies or hardship. This grant is designed to help prevent disruptions and supports job performance by easing short-term child care challenges.
KidsKare: Reduced-rate back-up child care
The KidsKare program makes back-up child care affordable for UW–Madison faculty and staff by offering reduced-rate services at Little Chicks Learning Academy during the fall and spring semesters. Employees can reserve hourly child care up to two weeks in advance for back-up care needs, such as school closures, schedule changes, or occasional Saturday child care.
City/State Financial Resources
Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program
The Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program provides financial assistance to low-income families to help cover the cost of quality child care while parents work, attend school, or participate in job training. Administered by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, the program helps reduce financial barriers to stable employment, continued education, and family well-being.
City of Madison Child Care Tuition Assistance
Student parents not currently receiving UW CCTAP funding may be eligible for City of Madison Child Care Tuition Assistance. This program supports families whose income exceeds the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy limits but still have financial need. Applicants must reside within the City of Madison limits, use a center or family child care provider that is City of Madison-accredited, and provide proof of denial for Wisconsin Shares.
More OCCFR Resources for UW Employees
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Priority Enrollment Access within the UW-Madison Child Care & Education System (CCES)
UW-Madison affiliated families receive priority enrollment at all child care and education programs within the UW-Madison Child Care and Education System (CCES). This includes UW-Madison’s three campus child care centers, nine network child care centers, and more than 100 accredited home-based child care programs in Wisconsin.
Free Group Parenting Classes & Individual Parent Coaching
In partnership with Dr. Laura Froyen and other consultants, the Office of Child Care and Family Resources offers a series of free, virtual parenting classes each semester which is open to all UW employees (as well as their spouses/partners). Additionally, OCCFR funds individual virtual parent coaching sessions with Dr. Laura during the academic year for parents looking to address specific needs or questions.
OCCFR’s weekly Baby Play Group is also open to all UW employees and their families. Once a week during the academic year, Dr. Laura joins UW families at the University Apartments Community Center to chat with parents and provide enriching experiences for babies under 18 months old.
Campus Lactation Room Map
The Office of Child Care and Family Resources maintains a campus lactation room map, and can help connect building managers with resources for furniture and amenities that are compliant with the PUMP Act and other University/federal policies.
Parent Support Email List & Badger Buzz Newsletter
All UW families are welcome to subscribe to our Parent Support Email List, which includes our monthly Badger Buzz newsletter.
Parent Resource Specialist
Our Parent Resource Specialist is available to answers questions and share resources with UW families.
UW-Madison Employee Benefits
UW Paid Parental Leave Policy
As of July 1, 2024, UW–Madison provides eligible employees with up to six weeks (240 hours) of paid parental leave within a 12-month period following the birth or adoption of a child. This new benefit helps support work-life balance and family well-being.
Family & Medical Leave
Learn about your rights to take job-protected leave with continued medical benefits when you need time off from work to care for yourself or a seriously ill family member, to bond with a newborn or newly adopted child, or to handle affairs of a family member called to active duty.
Dependent Care FSA
Most faculty and staff are eligible to sign up for a Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account to use money taken pre-tax from monthly income to pay for dependent care services. Employees may sign up for this benefit during the Open Enrollment period or by contacting their HR representative.
Additional Employee Resources
- Find Your HR Contact
- Employee Assistance Office
- LifeMatters
- Child Tax Credit
- Babies & Beyond: free services and resources for ages 0-4
- Fee Assistance and Respite Child Care Programs for Military Families
- City of Madison Community Resources
- City of Madison Emergency Assistance
- Dane County Disability Services
- Aging and Disability Resource Center
- WIC (Supplemental Nutrition Program)
- OCCFR Family Resource Library