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.
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.
Connections to Key Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) Findings:
The early education workforce is the foundation upon which all daily work and any expansion and quality improvement efforts rest. Research suggests that states and cities should invest in the workforce across all early education setting types, focusing on enhancing educators’ professional learning, compensation, and workplace conditions.
Findings from the Early Learning Study at Harvard (ELS@H) show:
- Early educators play a critical role in supporting the well-being of young children and families across setting types.
- Yet their pay, benefits, and other professional supports are often inadequate in light of the job demands and their cost of living.