About

If you’re an early childhood educator, Raising Wisconsin and WECA are here to listen – and support and empower you to advocate for your profession. Attend an upcoming engagement forum for a fun evening of connection, sharing, and learning. We’ll have meaningful discussions, learn from each other, and hear more about ways to engage with WECA and Raising Wisconsin to advocate for child care in the 2023-25 Wisconsin State Budget.

Upcoming Dates and Locations

April 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Virtual (formerly scheduled in-person at Antigo Public Library)
Register

April 27 at 6:30 p.m.
Virtual | Statewide
Register

Make your voice heard about the importance of strong state investments into child care and health and well-being at upcoming budget listening sessions held by state representatives and state senators in local districts.

Upcoming In-District Dates and Locations:

Rep. Dave Murphy and Sen. Rachael Cabral-Guevara
April 17, 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Town of Center Town Hall, N3990 State Road 47, Appleton

More Details

Joint Committee on Finance Public Hearing Dates and Locations:

April 5 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Waukesha County Expo Center, Waukesha
April 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: UW-Eau Claire, Davies Student Center, Eau Claire
April 12 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Glacier Canyon Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells
April 26 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Lakeland Union High School, Minocqua

For more details and an opportunity to submit public comment online, click here.

Wednesday, April 5 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Madison, Wis.

Raising Wisconsin and Wisconsin Head Start Association are partnering for a Child Care Advocacy Day dedicated to connecting with lawmakers on the importance of a $300 million state investment into the Child Care Counts Program in the 2023 Wisconsin state budget. Child care advocates – providers, families, business owners, and community officials – will start the day with an advocacy training followed by an afternoon of legislative visits at the state Capitol.

Registration is now closed for this event.

Wednesday, March 1 Virtual and In-Person | Wisconsin State Capitol, Madison

Virtual speakers and workshops supported health and well-being of infants, young children, and families. The afternoon included virtual or in-person meetings with Wisconsin legislative representatives at the state Capitol.

A virtual advocacy training session also was held on Tuesday, Feb. 28 to prepare.

Thursday, Feb. 16 from 7:30-9 p.m. | Zoom

Guests joined the National Collaborative for Infants & Toddlers for an interactive training session to learn why provider and/or parent stories are critical to successful funding of Child Care Counts. The session also assisted with preparing and practicing storytelling.

Wednesday, Feb. 15 | Glacier Canyon Conference Center, Wisconsin Dells

In partnership with Wisconsin Counties Association and Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, an engaging day on the state of child care in Wisconsin, the value of local innovations, and long-term solutions for the future. The event featured perspective from Department of Children and Families, Bipartisan Policy Center, a rich conversation between a Chamber of Commerce, a working parent, and a child care program to uncover continued challenges and point to long term solutions, and afternoon breakout sessions.

The event also provided updates on Project Growth, Raising Wisconsin advocacy efforts, and coalition building amid the backdrop of the state budget process.

Friday, Jan. 20 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Zoom

An engaging virtual session on the critical need for business and economic voices in seeking state-level solutions to child care challenges. The session kicked off with keynote remarks from Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation CEO Missy Hughes on child care’s business and economic impact. The rest of the session featured a panel discussion from Chamber and economic leaders on local child care challenges and what employers are sharing with them regarding the impact on business and workforce productivity.

Training Webinar: Advocating for Child Care Counts Now

Thursday, Dec. 15  | Zoom

Join us for an informational session on understanding Wisconsin’s state budget process – how government leaders, policymakers, and elected officials influence the process, and how parent advocates can most effectively make their voices heard and influence critical child care priorities. This event will cover the roles and responsibilities of elected officials and provide a high-level introduction to the public policy process.

Thursday, Nov. 17 | Zoom

An educational webinar for parents and caregivers to help parents and caregivers understand how data can be used to make change, what data and information is available on child care, and what that data means when taking advocacy actions. This event is tailored for parents and caregivers in southwest Wisconsin, the Sheboygan and Manitowoc areas, northeast Wisconsin, the Eau Claire-Chippewa Valley, Racine, Kenosha, and Waukesha.

For more information on parent engagement efforts, visit our Families page.

Thursday, Oct. 27 | Zoom

An educational webinar for parents and caregivers to learn how to tell their story and urge elected officials to invest in child care. This event is tailored for parents and caregivers in southwest Wisconsin, the Sheboygan and Manitowoc areas, northeast Wisconsin, the Eau Claire-Chippewa Valley, Racine, Kenosha, and Waukesha.

For more information on parent engagement efforts, visit our Families page.

Thursday, Oct. 27 | Zoom

An engaging virtual session on the business and economic implications of Wisconsin’s child care challenges and insights on the urgent need for state investment into early care and education. A panel of three Wisconsin business leaders shared first-hand insights and WECA provided information on the state’s child care landscape and upcoming Raising Wisconsin events.