Milwaukee Succeeds Uses Data on Federal Funding to Drive Change
COA Youth and Family Centers by Jim Moy.
This spring, the ECE Coalition conducted a survey of all child care providers in the city, asking what impact Child Care Counts had on their programs – and what needs still remain. Now our Coalition is using their findings to advocate for continued investment in the industry.
What is Child Care Counts?
Wisconsin developed Child Care Counts to allocate federal COVID relief dollars to child care providers to help them stay open, keep staff employed and provide quality care. The ECE Coalition advocated for and informed the investment – and is dedicated to understanding how it was used.
The Data
“[Child Care Counts] had a large impact on helping me to stay open and keep running from day to day.” – Milwaukee ECE Provider
At a time when 40% of the city’s providers would have closed without financial assistance, Child Care Counts represented a lifeline for the industry.1 In order to understand the full effect of this investment, the Milwaukee Succeeds-led Early Childhood Education (ECE) Coalition embarked on a citywide survey of child care providers. Their results, released this spring in a report titled Making Every Dollar Count, have provided a unique look at the industry and its ongoing needs, as well as providing fuel for statewide advocacy efforts.
The data showed that providers primarily used the funds for everyday expenses – cleaning and classroom supplies, utilities, rent and PPE. With the funds designated for staffing needs, they awarded one-time bonuses and pay raises and invested in staff trainings. Even with the funds, however, concerns remain regarding staff pay, recruitment, infrastructure and supplies.
These findings were widely shared across the state, making their way to advocates, state and local policymakers, providers and beyond. The Coalition has even used the data to inform the 2023-25 budget priorities of the statewide Raising Wisconsin ECE Coalition, specifically advocating for the continuation of Child Care Counts once federal funds run out.
