How our ECE Ambassadors Learned to Raise their Voices for Change
In February, Milwaukee Succeeds welcomed its first cohort of Early Childhood Education (ECE) Ambassadors. Utilizing their lived experiences as parents, community advocates and ECE professionals, they set out to learn more about the sector, engage with the community and, ultimately, advocate for change.
With major struggles currently facing the sector – from recruitment and retention challenges to skyrocketing costs of care – their work wasn’t easy. Yet through their dedication, persistence and collaboration, they’ve succeeded in supporting local providers and raising their voices for a stronger ECE system.
Building a Network
“The best part about this ambassadorship is really being out there engaging with all the families,” said Ambassador Briana Stanford. “You really get to hear their stories and connect.”
The Ambassadors had plenty of engagement opportunities this year, including resource fairs, block parties, back-to-school events and more. At each, they shared their stories, spoke about the state of ECE and cultivated a list of champions eager to learn and do more. The Ambassadors are now conducting conversations with those on the list to learn more about what matters to them. They’ll use this feedback to organize trainings on ECE policy, data, grassroots organizing and the power of advocacy.
“This is about activating people around a common good that’s going to benefit children for decades to come,” said Ambassador Vanessa Giraldez.
Providing Targeted Supports
The Ambassadors have also made it a point to connect with and learn from local ECE providers. They’ve become familiar faces in various centers, both by attending partner events and helping to facilitate them. They’ve even provided targeted supports – like Teaching Strategies GOLD and Creative Curriculum trainings – to ensure educators have the best tools to teach our youngest learners.
Calling for Change
Advocating for sustained funding – particularly the continuation of Child Care Counts in the 2023-25 state budget – became a major part of the Ambassadors’ 2023 efforts. After learning about the power of the their voices and the importance of their stories, they took to the stage at the Joint Committee on Finance's listening session in April, painting a picture of the sector’s ongoing struggles.
Along with members of the ECE Coalition and the statewide Raising Wisconsin coalition, they succeeded in garnering over 80,000 emails to state and local legislators in support of Child Care Counts. This, combined with their sustained advocacy activities, effectively elevated ECE to one of the most prominent issues in the state.
While the request for $300 million to continue the program wasn’t included in the final budget, because of these combined efforts, Gov. Evers did designate $170 million in emergency funding to sustain it until June 2025.
“We can, we should and we need to have stronger early childhood education systems,” said Ambassador Callie Colbo.
In 2024, our ECE Ambassadors, coalition partners and dedicated team will work to continue this incredible momentum. In addition to ongoing advocacy efforts, institutional pieces (like the Wisconsin Shares research that the Ambassadors are helping to coordinate) will further bolster the sector and create meaningful change for many.
