The Northeast Wisconsin Child Care Alliance is a network of partners working to make it easier for children ages birth to 5 and their families to get the high-quality, affordable early care and education (ECE) and family supports they need to thrive.
Our newsletters aim to educate and inform our communities about the need to transform early care and education in ways that will bring about more equitable and lasting outcomes for children and families and to spark opportunities for action, alignment, and coordination.
This month you’ll find:
LOCAL + STATE NEWS:
- First Five Fox Valley is looking for parents to join its Parent Ambassador Program, applications are due by October 24.
- Child care scholarships available for Brown County families through partnership with Brown County United Way and Family Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin.
- Alliance member Beth Hudak of House of Hope receives Excellence in Advocacy Award from Wisconsin Women’s Network!
OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE & LEARN:
- Elliot Haspel, nationally-recognized child and family policy expert, releases new book: Raising A Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All.
- From the Prenatal-to-3 Policy Impact Center and Vanderbilt University comes a briefing on recent approaches and policies states have pursued to strengthen compensation and benefits for the early education workforce.
- For Funders: Buell Foundation interview focuses on policy and public financing as a key lever to support children, families, and the care-giving workforce.
Local News
First Five Fox Valley is looking for parents (young, old, grand, teen, single, LGTBQ, any race or cultural affinity) to join the Parent Ambassador program. The program aims to grow personal and leadership skills in a supportive cohort environment. The goal of the program is for parents to feel more confident in sharing their experiences when advocating for the needs of families in our communities. The group will meet for 1-2 hours per month with dates decided by participants. There is no financial cost to participate and free childcare is included along with compensation for the training. From a former attendee, “This group has given me an opportunity to get out and connect with other parents and feel valued for my thoughts and experiences. I’m doing something important and feel valued by others who deeply listen to what I have to say.” – Jasmine
Please contact catherine@
Childcare Scholarships Available – Apply Today!
Brown County United Way and Family & Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin are offering scholarships to help families pay for the cost of childcare. This program is designed to help ALICE® households (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) who earn annual incomes above the Federal Poverty Level but still struggle to afford basic needs like childcare.
Who is eligible? Families must reside in Brown County.
Please note: families who qualify for or are currently receiving Wisconsin Shares (the state childcare subsidy program) are not eligible.
Scholarship details: Initial coverage is for 12 weeks, subject to review and funding availability. If approved, 50%-75% of a family’s childcare costs will be paid weekly and direct to their childcare provider.
How to apply: Complete a brief application at one of the following links: Brown County Childcare Scholarship Eligibility (English); Beca para Cuidado Infantil del Condado de Brown (Spanish). Applicants will receive a follow-up call from Family & Childcare Resources of N.E.W.
Beth Hudak was selected as this year’s Excellence in Advocacy Award recipient by the Wisconsin Women’s Network. In the network’s announcement, they note “this award honors Beth’s unwavering commitment, visionary leadership, and tireless work to advance equity and opportunity for women and girls across Wisconsin”. Beth’s accomplishments were celebrated on Women’s Equality Day at the Goodman Community Center in Madison. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to Beth for this well-deserved recognition!
Opportunities to Engage & Learn
Elliot Haspel, nationally recognized child and family policy expert releases new book: Raising A Nation: 10 Reasons Every American Has a Stake in Child Care for All. Check out zero 2 eight’s book profile and interview with the author. Haspel discusses the political history of child care, equity, and framing of the issue, and strongly advocates for child care to be seen as an ‘American Value’.
Approaches to Improve Early Education Compensation – Check out examples from across the U.S. on the different tools a number of states have used to support compensation for the ECE workforce. The easy-to-read review looks at wage supplements, bonuses + stipends, tax credits, and benefit supports.
For Funders: Listen to this 10 minute video interview (or read through the written transcript) between Jason Callegari of the Buell Foundation and Allie Farrell of the Children’s Funding Project. To recognize the scale of what is needed to support a high-functioning child care system that works for children, families, and the care-giving workforce, Jason tells the story of the Buell Foundation’s increased investment of policy efforts across Colorado. Also noted is the foundation’s great Local Financing Toolkit designed for communities exploring public financing options in Colorado.
