Quality early childhood care and education is essential for the long-term success of young people in our region and for today’s workforce to effectively function, but the sector is in crisis. Lack of access to quality, affordable services for children 0-3 has chronically plagued Milwaukee – especially Black and Brown families – and the pandemic has compounded inequities and pushed the system to a breaking point.
For the second installment in its A Milwaukee for All series, the Greater Milwaukee Foundation invited national experts to join local changemakers and community stakeholders to explore solutions for transforming the early childhood education system so it works for everyone.
Hundreds of people joined the virtual convening on Sept. 17, 2021, as Rhian Evans Allvin, CEO for the National Association for the Education of Young Children, and Sherri Killins Stewart, director of state systems alignment & integration and co-director of state services for the BUILD Initiative, engaged in a deep dialogue with Foundation President and CEO Ellen Gilligan on the workforce challenges facing the sector and some equity-focused solutions that would benefit all.
Community voice took center stage next, as local leaders facilitated eight different On the Table MKE discussions addressing key elements needed for a thriving early childhood education ecosystem.
The convening opened with a stage-setting welcome by Foundation Board chair Jacqueline Herd-Barber and closed with Board member Susan Ela advocating for action, while Ann Terrell, Milwaukee leader and NAEYC board president, offered special inspiration through her presentation, “And How Are The Children?”
Inspired by and supporting the Foundation’s overall strategic vision of A Milwaukee for All, this series presents an opportunity to work collectively toward a thriving, inclusive region. With racial equity and inclusion as its North Star, the Foundation serves as a catalyst and connector for advancing community priorities of early childhood education, matters of equitable economic opportunity and the collective work of the ThriveOn Collaboration.
We’ve also advocated on behalf of the sector with key policy wins including:
Read about the key themes that emerged in On the Table MKE discussions.
Eighty-four percent of attendees surveyed reported they will take action to make a difference. Here are some of the ways in which they are following through on that commitment:
“I will educate myself more on the issues.”
“I will reconsider the strategies that have impactful levers on how my organization works with philanthropy for early child care.”
“I will further investigate how public schools can support and develop early childhood programs.”
“I will continue to read information about early childhood initiatives and provide financial support. My husband and I have supported Notre Dame School Milwaukee's new 3 year program, Penfield and their Behavior Clinic, and other organizations that support young children with developmental disabilities.”
“As an early childhood educator I’m very active with pushing the initiative for more resources to provide higher quality care in underserved communities.”
“I want to provide equal access to early childhood programs at informal education centers by looking for sponsors and donors to provide funding so that the children and their parents can attend free of charge.”
“I will work on early childhood community partnerships in our school district.”
“I will advocate for more equitable funding and pay structure for child care staff.”
“I will continue to make "Good Trouble" so that our children get what they deserve.”
Visit the A Milwaukee For All resource page for ideas on how you can learn more, invest more and do more to move our community forward.