Healthy Communities through WEESSN-Milwaukee: Supporting Quality Early Learning and Family Well-Being

At a Glance

High-quality early childhood education is an evidence-based intervention proven to reduce the risk of health disparities like heart disease, drug and alcohol abuse and teen pregnancies. The lack of quality early care and education options has resulted in an achievement gap seen in children as early as eighteen months old with lower neurological, cognitive and social emotional development.

With this Community Impact Grant, the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) and its partners, including childcare providers and parents, will develop The Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESN) – Milwaukee initiative to strengthen the quality and continuity of local child care providers in the most under-resourced areas of Milwaukee. The initiative will work to stabilize child care by connecting family and group child care programs to pool resources and capitalize on economies of scale and expertise. By sharing resources, knowledge, and staffing, child care programs can build capacity in their caregiving, and improve outcomes for young children and their families. WEESSN-Milwaukee will promote and sustain more accessible, high-quality early care and education opportunities, ultimately benefiting children, working parents, child care providers and their communities.