Residents urge county to use feasibility funds to develop intergenerational care

Janet, a Groundswell member from Lake Geneva, told the Health & Human Services board that local needs-assessment and survey work repeatedly named childcare and senior care among the community's top priorities and asked the board to release remaining feasibility-grant funds to plan intergenerational services.

"I appear here today to ask for your continued support," Janet said, noting a visit to an East Troy community-funded center that reported thousands of visitors and a wide range of community uses. Maddie Sweetman of Brownsville said data also supported the idea and urged county staff to explore alternate sites if the Lakeland wing is not feasible. A resident who identified herself as Nancy added that multi-generational caregiving benefits families and communities.

Groundswell speakers emphasized that an intergenerational model could address high local demand for both child care and senior supports while building community connections. The board heard details about the scope of visits to a comparable center and about how leftover feasibility funds might be used to prepare local communities for implementation. The comments came during the public-comment portion of the board meeting; no formal action on the proposal was taken during the session.