Milwaukee

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Strategy Name	Strategy Type(s)	Year	Funding Amount	Funding Source	Features at a Glance
Dual Enrollment Preschool Technical Diploma In 2021, Milwaukee launched the Dual Enrollment Preschool Technical Diploma program using $309,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The program is a partnership between local high schools, the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and Next Door, a Milwaukee early education nonprofit. Dual Enrollment Academy (DEA) participants receive college-level training to begin careers in early childhood education. In their senior year, DEA students earn both high school and college credits through in-person, virtual, and experiential learning experiences, with the goal of earning a Preschool Technical Diploma by graduation. Students pay no tuition for the program’s 18 credits, and they receive a free computer, free books, and free transportation to MATC and partner sites. Credits earned through DEA can also be applied to MATC programs in the future, shortening the time and reducing the cost of completing a technical diploma or associate degree at MATC. learn more: dual enrollment preschool technical diploma Sources: City of Milwaukee City Clerk Communications Center. (2021, October 15). Committee recommends approval of early childhood education investment. Milwaukee Area Technical College. (n.d.). Dual Enrollment Academy for High School Seniors.	Workforce Professional Learning	2021	$309,000	American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)	Dual Enrollment Academy (DEA) participants receive college-level training to begin careers in early childhood education during their senior year of high school through in-person, virtual, and experiential learning experiences	In 2021, Milwaukee launched the Dual Enrollment Preschool Technical Diploma program using $309,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The program is a partnership between local high schools, the Milwaukee Area Technical College (MATC), the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development, and Next Door, a Milwaukee early education nonprofit. Dual Enrollment Academy (DEA) participants receive college-level training to begin careers in early childhood education. In their senior year, DEA students earn both high school and college credits through in-person, virtual, and experiential learning experiences, with the goal of earning a Preschool Technical Diploma by graduation. Students pay no tuition for the program’s 18 credits, and they receive a free computer, free books, and free transportation to MATC and partner sites. Credits earned through DEA can also be applied to MATC programs in the future, shortening the time and reducing the cost of completing a technical diploma or associate degree at MATC. learn more: dual enrollment preschool technical diploma Sources: City of Milwaukee City Clerk Communications Center. (2021, October 15). Committee recommends approval of early childhood education investment. Milwaukee Area Technical College. (n.d.). Dual Enrollment Academy for High School Seniors.
Early Childhood Workforce Wage Stipend Program In November 2022, using $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Milwaukee created a stipend program for early childhood professionals employed in the city’s child care programs. The Milwaukee Succeeds Early Childhood Coalition initially advocated for the program, which was then facilitated by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. All Milwaukee early education professionals in direct caregiving roles and employed in group or family child care programs licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families were eligible for an annual stipend of $1,500, distributed in three installments over the course of a calendar year. The program wrapped up in early 2025. In 2023, the wage stipend program reached over 1,900 educators in Milwaukee. learn more: early childhood workforce wage stipend program Sources: Milwaukee Succeeds. (2022, November). Early Educator Wage Stipend Launches in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Succeeds. (2023, February). First Round of Early Educator Stipends Awarded. White, A. (2022). An Equitable Recovery Starts With Early Childhood: How Cities Are Leveraging ARPA SLFRF to Support Young Children and Families. National League of Cities. City of Milwaukee City Clerk Communications Center. (2022, December 1). Applications now being accepted for Early Childhood Workforce Stipend Program. Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. (n.d.). City of Milwaukee Early Childhood Workforce Stipend Program.	Workforce Bonuses and Supplemental Pay	2022	$5.1 million	American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)	All Milwaukee early education professionals in direct caregiving roles and employed in group or family child care programs licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families were eligible for an annual stipend of $1,500	In November 2022, using $5.1 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, Milwaukee created a stipend program for early childhood professionals employed in the city’s child care programs. The Milwaukee Succeeds Early Childhood Coalition initially advocated for the program, which was then facilitated by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. All Milwaukee early education professionals in direct caregiving roles and employed in group or family child care programs licensed by the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families were eligible for an annual stipend of $1,500, distributed in three installments over the course of a calendar year. The program wrapped up in early 2025. In 2023, the wage stipend program reached over 1,900 educators in Milwaukee. learn more: early childhood workforce wage stipend program Sources: Milwaukee Succeeds. (2022, November). Early Educator Wage Stipend Launches in Milwaukee. Milwaukee Succeeds. (2023, February). First Round of Early Educator Stipends Awarded. White, A. (2022). An Equitable Recovery Starts With Early Childhood: How Cities Are Leveraging ARPA SLFRF to Support Young Children and Families. National League of Cities. City of Milwaukee City Clerk Communications Center. (2022, December 1). Applications now being accepted for Early Childhood Workforce Stipend Program. Wisconsin Early Childhood Association. (n.d.). City of Milwaukee Early Childhood Workforce Stipend Program.
Milwaukee Office of Early Childhood Initiatives In 2017, the Milwaukee Common Council approved the creation of the Office of Early Childhood Initiatives (OECI), which opened its doors in November 2018. OECI was championed by Alderman Cavalier Johnson, with the goal of advancing and coordinating early childhood services for children from birth to three years old. OECI collaborates with the County of Milwaukee as well as state and federal entities that administer services to young children. Among other programs, OECI facilitates collaboration among local early childhood partners, connects families to resources, and serves as a clearinghouse for providers and organizations working to ensure high-quality early education in the city. learn more: Milwaukee office of early childhood initiatives Sources: City of Milwaukee Early Education Task Force Writing Subgroup. (2017, October). Recommendations. City of Milwaukee. White, A. (2022.) An Equitable Recovery Starts With Early Childhood: How Cities are Leveraging ARPA SLFRF to Support Young Children and Families. National League of Cities.	Infrastructure to Support Early Childhood Systems Administrative + Governance Models	2017			The Office of Early Childhood Initiatives facilitates collaboration among local early childhood partners, connects families to resources, and serves as a clearinghouse for providers and organizations working to ensure high-quality early education in the city	In 2017, the Milwaukee Common Council approved the creation of the Office of Early Childhood Initiatives (OECI), which opened its doors in November 2018. OECI was championed by Alderman Cavalier Johnson, with the goal of advancing and coordinating early childhood services for children from birth to three years old. OECI collaborates with the County of Milwaukee as well as state and federal entities that administer services to young children. Among other programs, OECI facilitates collaboration among local early childhood partners, connects families to resources, and serves as a clearinghouse for providers and organizations working to ensure high-quality early education in the city. learn more: Milwaukee office of early childhood initiatives Sources: City of Milwaukee Early Education Task Force Writing Subgroup. (2017, October). Recommendations. City of Milwaukee. White, A. (2022.) An Equitable Recovery Starts With Early Childhood: How Cities are Leveraging ARPA SLFRF to Support Young Children and Families. National League of Cities.