Building Pathways through Policy

Milwaukee Succeeds is opening new doors for Wisconsin children through a powerful statewide policy effort.

By Dave Celata, Wisconsin Partnership Lead

At Milwaukee Succeeds, we believe that in order for our children to thrive, we must fix the systems that are standing in their way. This means addressing the policies, resources and power structures that often work against them. But we also understand that such progress cannot happen in isolation. To create meaningful change, we must unite around a common goal, amplifying our voices to advocate for the policies and resources that will ensure all children have the opportunities they need to succeed.

That’s why, in 2024, we joined forces with three other cradle-to-career partnerships from across the state – Achieve Brown County, Building Our Future (Kenosha) and Higher Expectations for Racine County – to relaunch the Wisconsin Partnership. This powerful statewide effort is committed to breaking down barriers and building better, more equitable systems for Wisconsin children. To do so, we’re taking a unified, data-driven approach that centers on the current needs and challenges of our communities.

Our combined efforts focus on outcomes from birth through age 9, emphasizing foundational skills like literacy. Together, we aim to ensure all children can read proficiently by third grade, a crucial indicator of future success. By 2030, our shared goal is to set 10,000 more young people on a pathway to economic mobility, tracking our progress through indicators like kindergarten readiness and early literacy.

Policy as a Path to Change

To make this vision a reality, we understand that policy change is essential. We know that addressing the barriers our children and families face will require shifting the policies that govern education, funding and community supports.

By working with partners across Wisconsin, we’re strengthening our ability to drive meaningful policy change. In addition to the Wisconsin Partnership, Milwaukee Succeeds is collaborating with other early childhood education coalitions, such as Raising Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Philanthropy Network’s WI Funders for Children & Families Collaborative. Through these partnerships, we’re working to create, advocate for and implement policies that will strengthen educational systems and broaden opportunities for all children.

By uniting around a common purpose, we aim to build a stronger, more equitable state where the promise of success is a reality for every child.