09/28/2026
RSVP at www.3cwi.org/dreamup
Dream Up! Lincoln County is proud to announce the Northwoods Forum on Child Care, bringing together policymakers, employers, child care professionals, economic development leaders, and community stakeholders for a regional conversation about child care and why it is one of the most pressing issues today.
The event is open to the public and will take place Wednesday, October 14, 2026, at the Lincoln County Services Building in Merrill, Wisconsin.
A dinner reception, sponsored by Geiss Meat Service of Merrill, will kick off at 5:00pm. The forum begins at 6:00pm
The Northwoods Forum will examine the current child care landscape and its impact on families,employers, communities, and the future of Northern Wisconsin. The discussion will focus on three central questions:
• What is the child care challenge facing our communities?
• How does child care affect families, employers, and local economies?
• What can we do to create sustainable solutions?
Featured Panelists
The forum will feature a diverse panel representing state policy, child care, and workforce development:
Wisconsin State Representative Patrick Snyder
Chair, Wisconsin Assembly Committee on Children and Families
Micki Krueger
Assistant Director, Childcaring, Inc.
Brian Kalish
Executive Director, Advance Wisconsin Employment
The panel discussion will be moderated by Sara Guild, Director of Lincoln County Economic Development, and Elsa Duranceau, President & CEO of the Child Care Coalition of Wisconsin (3CWI)
