The Wisconsin Partnership is a coalition of local organizations, including Higher Expectations, working in Brown, Kenosha, and Racine Counties, as well as the City of Milwaukee. With a shared commitment to Early Childhood Education, including Kindergarten Readiness and Early Literacy, we seek to transform systems and ensure all young people have a pathway to economic mobility. Grounded in data-driven decision-making and authentic community engagement, our partnership aims to put 10,000 more young people on a path to success by 2030.
As a coalition, we advocate for statewide policy changes to improve access to high-quality early childhood education and support Wisconsin’s economic prosperity. Our 2025 legislative agenda prioritizes stabilizing the child care industry through dedicated state funding, expanding affordability programs like WI Shares, and increasing compensation for early childhood educators. Additionally, we support early literacy initiatives, including funding for science-based reading curricula and increased special education reimbursement. By advancing sustainable, high-impact policies, we are working to ensure every Wisconsin child has the opportunity to thrive.
June 2025
Statement on behalf of the Wisconsin Partnership:
We all want Wisconsin’s economy to grow and families to thrive. The Wisconsin Partnership is grateful for Governor Evers’ consistent prioritization of early care and education funding throughout the state budget process. His commitment to young children, working families, and Wisconsin’s workforce is clear, and we thank him for his leadership.
The impending conclusion of Child Care Counts presents significant challenges. Without continued investment into this sector, providers will face difficult decisions. In a Spring 2025 survey from UW-Madison, over 25% of providers say they are likely to close their businesses when Child Care Counts funding stops. At the same time, the other 75% of providers will need to reduce their services, cut wages, and/or raise rates on working families.
This issue impacts kids’ futures, families’ pocketbooks, and employers’ bottom lines in every electoral district of the state, regardless of party or allegiance. We respectfully urge every legislator and member of the Joint Committee on Finance to recognize the critical role early childhood education plays in the strength of our economy and the well-being of our communities.
Now is the time for state leaders to come together and invest in a sustainable childcare solution that works for the entire state. By working together, we can ensure that Wisconsin's families have access to quality, affordable child care, which is foundational to the state's economic vitality and future prosperity.
Signed,
The Wisconsin Partnership (Achieve Brown County, Building Our Future Kenosha County, Higher Expectations for Racine County, and Milwaukee Succeeds)
