Tackling Child Care Challenges: How Milwaukee Succeeds is Making a Difference

Arati Hernandez (center, wearing a black Youth Forward MKE shirt) recently spoke to Spectrum News 1 about her challenges in finding affordable child care - and how Milwaukee Succeeds is working to change things for good.

This article was originally published on June 11, 2024 by Spectrum News 1. Click here to view the full article and accompanying video.

MILWAUKEE — More than 40% of mothers in Wisconsin report having to cut back on work hours, or quit their jobs entirely, due to the high cost of early childhood education, according to University of Wisconsin-Madison research quoted by Vincent Lyles, the executive director of Milwaukee Succeeds.

A local group called Milwaukee Succeeds is working to change that statistic.

What You Need To Know

• Paid parent ambassadors are raising awareness about the child care crisis in Wisconsin 

• Milwaukee Succeeds is expanding access to quality, affordable early childhood education for Black and brown families

• Limited child care options, especially in underserved areas of Milwaukee, are having negative consequences on children and families

Arati Hernandez, a former teacher and now a stay-at-home mom, never intended to leave her job. Then, the lack of available day care programs and the high cost associated with them changed her plans.

“Either long wait lists, or no space, or you need to wait, so we decided it was better for me to stay home,” said Hernandez. 

In the past year, Hernandez found a way to still work from home to care for her daughter, but also earn some money while advocating for more and better child care options. She is an early childhood education ambassador for the nonprofit organization, Milwaukee Succeeds.

“We are trying to make a difference and get people to understand how important it is, how many centers are closing right now and how many teachers are not getting what they deserve,” Hernandez said. 

Milwaukee Succeeds works to improve education for every child in every school by focusing on two areas: early childhood education and high school success. The organization believes that students, parents and caregivers must be at the center of decision-making and policy change.

Anna Smerchek is the community engagement manager at Milwaukee Succeeds. She said it takes parent ambassadors to share information and rally people behind this cause in every community.

“The cost of care for our families is just too much and our educators don’t make enough, and the system is broken,” said Smerchek.

Smerchek said the limited child care options, especially in underserved areas of Milwaukee, are having negative consequences on children and families.

“We have multiple partners throughout the city who are helping us to gauge and gain more skills and advocacy, and that means getting in those spaces where we know those policymakers are,” said Smerchek.

Hernandez and other paid parent advocates are stepping up, not only to care for their own children at home but also to advocate for quality, affordable child care for all children in the state.