Advocacy and the Future of ECE
This year, we proved that small, local efforts can spark big changes.
58 Milwaukee champions traveled to Madison to join a statewide rally for early childhood education (ECE). Six advocacy training sessions were held, equipping 411 participants with the skills to speak up and spread their stories. Three letter-writing events generated 33 inspiring messages to local representatives. And through the Wisconsin Partnership, four communities across the state banded together with one powerful message.
Every number represents a story, and together those stories created an undeniable momentum, raising ECE to the forefront of the conversation. The impact was historic. For the first time, Wisconsin made child care a top priority in its biennial budget, including more than $330 million in new funding to support children, families and early educators.
The State of ECE
For years, child care has been underfunded and undervalued, leaving families scrambling for affordable options and providers struggling to keep their doors open. In March, our new report – Still Making Every Dollar Count – brought these challenges into sharp relief, showing how the end of Child Care Counts could further strain the sector. In fact, the report found that without this funding, many providers would be forced to tighten their budgets, eliminate staff, cut wages or even close their centers entirely.
This data did more than paint a picture – it became a powerful rallying cry. Armed with these insights, our community transformed into child care champions, sharing their experiences at public hearings and rallies, in letters and in meetings with lawmakers.
“Our community showed up strong, making it clear that ECE is not just a policy issue, but a priority,” said Anna Smerchek, Milwaukee Succeeds’ ECE community engagement manager.
A coordinated media campaign led by our anchor organization, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation, further amplified these voices, leading to 50+ print and digital stories and building a compelling public narrative that kept ECE front and center during the budget process.
The Results
This strategic, data-driven, community-led advocacy sent a powerful message – and Wisconsin listened. Through its new budget, the state invested $110 million into bridge payments for providers, $66 million for a first-of-its-kind school readiness line item that ensures ongoing support for the child care sector, over $123 million to increase Wisconsin Shares reimbursement rates and $28.6 million for a pilot program to increase access to infant and toddler care.
While there is still work to do to ensure every family has access to high-quality, affordable ECE, this year proved something important: Our voices have power when we speak together.
Local Voices, Lasting Change
We know that our work isn’t done. Building on the momentum from our statewide advocacy, our ECE Ambassadors are connecting directly with child care providers in Milwaukee’s ThriveOn King neighborhood. This long-term endeavor, fueled by a generous donor, aims to strengthen our local ECE network and inform future advocacy. Early efforts have focused on building trust and relationships ahead of a needs assessment next year.
“When centers, organizations and advocates build those relationships, our voice gets louder. Together, we can push for better pay, more support and the respect this work deserves,” explained ECE Ambassador Arati Hernandez.
(Read Arati’s full Q&A here! And check out more reflections from Ambassador Jackie Burrell here.)
This outreach is just the beginning. This fall, we launched a PhotoVoice project, inviting child care owners and directors to share their experiences through photos and personal reflections. By capturing these stories, the project not only amplifies voices that might otherwise go unheard but also transforms lived experiences into actionable insights to drive lasting change.
