UPDATE: Common Council Approves ARPA ECE Recommendations

On October 21, the Milwaukee Common Council voted to approve a $7 million proposal to invest ARPA funds into Milwaukee’s ECE sector. This proposal was developed and supported by the Milwaukee ECE Coalition, led by Milwaukee Succeeds. Alderwoman Marina Dimitrijevic introduced it to the Council and championed for its approval.

“This was a Coalition effort in the truest sense of the word, and a testament to what we can do when we advocate with one voice centering the expertise of those with lived experience,” said Daria Hall, ECE Director at Milwaukee Succeeds.

Specifics of the Proposal

This investment will bolster several key areas of the ECE sector, with the ultimate goal of increasing access to quality, affordable ECE care - particularly for Milwaukee’s Black and Brown families.

First, it will provide stipends to ECE professionals in order to decrease turnover rates, providing children with more stable relationships with better-educated teachers. It will also provide an investment into Milwaukee Area Technical College’s dual enrollment program. This program enables students to attend college while still enrolled in high school and studying early childhood education, thereby strengthening the pipeline into the ECE workforce.

Investments will also be made into MKE Rising and Leading Men Fellows, which both work to increase the representation of men of color in the ECE workforce.

Stay tuned for more information on the implementation of these funds!