On September 16, Governor Tony Evers released a press release highlighting the findings of a recent DCF survey, which revealed a troubling shortage of staff in the state’s child care industry. According to the research, nearly 60% of child care providers have unused capacity, mainly due to staffing issues, leaving an estimated 33,000 children without access to care.

More than 40% of mothers in Wisconsin report having to cut back on work hours, or quit their jobs entirely, due to the high cost of early childhood education. A local group called Milwaukee Succeeds is working to change that statistic.

This article was originally published in Spectrum News 1.

On April 27, a group of 12 local caregivers embarked on a six-week learning journey designed to bolster their well-being. Facilitated by Quiana Words and ECE Ambassador Taffie Foster Toney, the NAMI Compassion Resilience Trainings will help parents and caregivers build strength and compassion, manage daily stresses and empower their kids to do the same!

A new report by the Center on Wisconsin Strategy highlights the important connection between early childhood education and the state’s workforce. “The State of Working Wisconsin 2023” particularly points to ECE and the challenges of obtaining affordable care as contributors to the ongoing decline in women’s labor force participation.

Milwaukee Succeeds’ Early Childhood Education Ambassadors are tackling one of their toughest challenges yet: mental health. This April, they’ll begin facilitating the first round of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) trainings sessions geared toward ECE professionals and caregivers.

A cohort of ECE Ambassadors stopped by the Betty Brinn Children’s Museum on March 21 to spread the word about their upcoming projects and programming.

In honor of Week of the Young Child, the Milwaukee Succeeds-led MKE ECE Coalition and its partners have planned a rich collection of events across the city, with resources and activities for the whole family.