April Advocacy Event
Tuesday – Wednesday, April 15 & 16, Madison, Wisconsin
Working Together for Wisconsin’s Children: Join WHSA and Partners for Our Annual Advocacy Event
The Wisconsin Head Start Association is excited to collaborate with the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association, Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, and Raising Wisconsin to bring you our most meaningful advocacy event yet.
Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 15 and Wednesday, April 16, 2025 at the welcoming Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club in Madison, Wisconsin.
Tuesday offers valuable professional development specifically designed for you! Choose between tracks for Program Leadership (Directors and Management Team Members) or comprehensive advocacy training to enhance your skills. On Wednesday, we’ll come together for our annual WHSA Advocacy Day at the Capitol—a chance to share your classroom experiences directly with policymakers and champion the children and families we serve.
This gathering is about connecting with colleagues who share your passion while strengthening our collective voice for early childhood education. Register today to be part of this important community event that supports our shared mission of nurturing Wisconsin’s youngest learners.
Tuesday, April 15, 2025 *Tentative Schedule
12:30 PM – 1:00 PM Registration
1:00 PM – 2:30 PM Workshops to transform your classroom stories into powerful advocacy messages.
2:30 PM – 3:00 PM Refreshment Break
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM Workshops to learn to effectively communicate Head Start’s impact to legislators
4:45 PM – 6:00 PM Evening Networking: Connect with fellow Head Start advocates and share experiences.
Wednesday, April 16, 2025 *Tentative Schedule
8:00 AM – 11:15 AM Breakfast and large group activities to prepare for our legislative visits
11:30 AM – 12:00 PM Rally at the Capitol *Tentative
12:00 PM – 1:00pm Lunch break (on your own)
1:00pm Onward Legislative visits begin and run throughout the afternoon
Morning: Participate in engaging speaker sessions and targeted advocacy training to prepare for effective legislative meetings.
Afternoon: Take your message directly to Wisconsin State Capitol to meet with your representatives and senators about the critical importance of quality early childhood education.
Why Attend?
- Connect with fellow early childhood advocates
- Learn about pressing issues affecting Head Start and child care
- Directly influence policymakers who make decisions affecting children
Special Training: Raising Wisconsin will provide essential information on Child Care Counts funding, its impact on Head Start programs, and why advocating for its permanent inclusion in the Wisconsin state budget is crucial now.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Wisconsin’s early care and education landscape
- Learning how our work intersects across early childhood systems
- Navigating the state budget process effectively
Together, we can create positive change for Wisconsin’s children!
Where: The Concourse Hotel and Governors Club
1 W Dayton St, Madison, WI 53703
When: April 15-16, 2025
Audience: Everyone! Staff, managers, directors and especially Head Start parents.
Room Block Information: Click Here to make your sleeping room reservations at a discounted rate!
Room Block Deadline: March 24, 2025.
Special Discounted Ticket Prices: Click HERE to view the ticket prices.
Questions about WHSA’s April advocacy event? Call our team at 608-275-3722. We’re here to support you in making a difference for Head Start children and families across Wisconsin.
WHSA/Raising WI State Budget Ask:
WHSA and Raising WI are advocating for a long-term, substantial state investment to support child care professionals and early childhood programs. This will have proven short- and long-term returns for the early childhood workforce, working families, economic productivity, and community health to reflect child care’s status as a vital public good.
It is long past time for Wisconsin to support children, families and the child care sector through a significant investment of state revenue. The majority of Wisconsin families cannot cover the gap of funding needed to sustain the child care industry. This lack of funding will continue to result in an under provision of care.
Wisconsin children, families, and employers deserve better. The returns are wide-ranging and vital for a thriving Wisconsin economy. Not investing is a loss we cannot afford. Let’s fund child care as the public good it is to our state.
More information and resources below:
RW_2025-27-State-Budget-Ask
Raising Wisconsin Advocacy Toolkit Resources
