Letter-Writing Session Helps Community Advocate for Change
On March 8, Milwaukee Succeeds launched its first letter-writing session at ThriveOn King, uniting early educators, child care providers and community members in a powerful push for sustained state funding for early childhood education (ECE). As Wisconsin’s 2025-27 budget cycle unfolds, advocates are seizing this moment to demand real investment in the child care sector – one that ensures stability for providers, expands affordability programs like Wisconsin Shares and guarantees fair compensation for early educators.
This first session, attended by 16 passionate participants, focused on advocacy skill building, the power of collective action and the impact of direct engagement with state legislators. Led by ECE Community Engagement Manager Anna Smerchek, attendees learned what to expect at this year’s Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) hearings and received hands-on support in crafting their messages. The energy in the room grew as participants put pen to paper, with ECE Ambassador Taffie setting the tone by sharing the letter she read at a JFC hearing in 2023.
Participants not only honed their advocacy skills through letter-writing but also rehearsed their speeches in preparation for this year’s upcoming legislative hearings, ensuring that ECE will remain at the forefront of budget discussions. Early educators and providers who completed their letters earned free continuing education hours through the Wisconsin Registry, reinforcing the value of their time and expertise.
Milwaukee Succeeds staff, including ECE Data Analyst Samantha Reynoso, Deputy Director Catina Harwell-Young and Wisconsin Partnership Lead Dave Celata, provided key insights into the ECE landscape, workforce challenges and the data that makes the case for urgent state investment. Participants engaged in small-group discussions and hands-on learning, deepening their understanding of how their voices can shape policy decisions.
The momentum continues on March 15, when attendees will take part in an interactive data walk, confronting the realities of Wisconsin’s child care crisis and identifying where they fit into the fight for change. Letter writing will remain central to future sessions, with more powerful examples from our dedicated team of ECE Ambassadors, along with a deeper dive into the JFC process.
With the future of child care funding on the line, these sessions are equipping Milwaukee’s ECE community with the tools to make an impact. Their voices matter – and this budget cycle is their chance to be heard.
