W.E.C.A.N.
Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed
- Sat, May 18Wisconsin CapitolMay 18, 2024, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PMWisconsin Capitol , State St entranceA gathering to bring awareness to early care and education/childcare and its foundational role in our communities and economic success with educators, families, childcare program business owners, other business owners, elected officials, parents and others.
- Tue, Jun 20Wisconsin State CapitolJun 20, 2023, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PMWisconsin State Capitol, 2 E Main St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
- Mon, May 08Communities throughout the stateMay 08, 2023, 8:00 AM – 5:00 PMCommunities throughout the state, Wisconsin, USAParents and child care providers are unified in demanding public investments for: 1) Living wages for child care providers 2) An equitable childcare system built on racial justice 3) Affordable childcare for all
- Thu, Apr 06ZoomApr 06, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMZoomNext week is the National Association for the Education of Young Children's Week of the Young Child, in honor of that, Wisconsin Early Childhood Action Needed (WECAN), Main Street Alliance (MSA), and Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) are sponsoring: Community Conversation for Change
- Tue, Nov 08WisconsinNov 08, 2022, 7:00 AM – 8:00 PMWisconsin, Wisconsin, USAStatewide officers, US Senator, US Congress, State Assembly, State Senator, County Sheriff, County Coroner, Referendums, and more. Go to www.myvote.wi. gov for personalized information
- Wed, Jun 22ZoomJun 22, 2022, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PMZoomLearn what CLTS is, how parents can access it, and what supports child care programs can utilize
- Mon, May 09Communities throughout the stateMay 09, 2022, 1:00 AM – 11:00 AM CDTCommunities throughout the state, Wisconsin, USAParents and child care providers are unified in demanding public investments for: 1) Living wages for child care providers 2) An equitable childcare system built on racial justice 3) Affordable childcare for all
- Wed, Sep 15https://forms.gle/6p6vxQgLvyztxHN3ASep 15, 2021, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMhttps://forms.gle/6p6vxQgLvyztxHN3AIt can be intimidating and nerve wracking to host an elected official or go to a town hall/event and speak in front of others and prevents people from letting elected officials know what we need and start the conversation to create policies that support our communities.
- Thu, May 13ZoomMay 13, 2021, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM CDTZoomA chance to discuss childcare policy with the Wisconsin State Treasurer
- Wed, Apr 21ZoomApr 21, 2021, 6:00 PM – 8:30 PMZoomShowing and discussion of the film "Starting at Zero"
- Tue, Mar 23ZoomMar 23, 2021, 6:30 PMZoomPractice your story and ask with the WECAN team!
- Fri, Mar 05ZoomMar 05, 2021, 1:00 PM – 2:00 PMZoomJoin Ruth Schmidt, Executive Director of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Kimber Liedl, WECA's Business Engagement Director and State Representative and Chair of the Assembly Children and Families Committee, Patrick Snyder, in discussing Wisconsin’s child care infrastructure
- Tue, Mar 02ZoomMar 02, 2021, 1:00 PM – Mar 04, 2021, 2:00 PMZoomJoin us as we gather with Wisconsin State legislators for a 45-minute Zoom meeting that includes a briefing on Wisconsin child care workforce issues from WECA and a 30-minute break-out session for participants to talk directly with elected officials and their staff.
- Wed, Feb 24ZoomFeb 24, 2021, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM CSTZoomDuring this global pandemic, child care has been recognized as essential, yet most states have failed to enact policies to support and early educators themselves. Reform is needed now more than ever.
- Thu, Jan 28ZoomJan 28, 2021, 12:30 PM – 1:30 PMZoomHeld by WECA, in partnership with WI Head Start Association, SFTA and Kids Forward
We Need Your Help
Child Care Counts (CCC) is funded from the Federal American Rescue Plan and payments are being reduced in June and ending in January unless it is continued in the state budget. Without the continuation of child care counts, a recent WECAN survey found about 11% of all child care businesses have indicated they will immediately close and additional 15% say closure will be imminent. Another 50% will raise rates, on average, 25%. This is between $40-$60 per WEEK per CHILD.
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Contact Co-Chair Howard Marklein 608-266-0703 and Co-Chair Rep. Born 608-237-9139 and say, " I am asking you as the co-chair of the JFC to include at least $300 million in the state budget to continue the successful Child Care Counts program. If you don't, it will affect (me, my business, etc) as a (parent, employer, childless colleague sick of doing multiple jobs because my employer can't hire due to the lack of child care, grandparent/friend/family who helps out with child care so my friend/family can work.
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Parents, employers, and child care educators/staff only (owners/admin we have results from your survey) please take a few moments to fill out this survey so WECAN can communicate with elected representatives about the consequences if this program isn't continued:
Get Involved
We Need Everyone
Advocacy Resources
As Educators, advocacy is our duty. We can advocate for the children and families we serve, or for ourselves and our colleges in our own learning communities. We can even use advocacy skills to build a better early childhood system in our state. Don't know how to start? Click here to find templates and resources to begin your advocacy journey