WHSA Winter Advocacy Series
Feb. 3, 10, & 17, Mar. 3, 2025
Join us for a virtual, 4-part, advocacy training series!
WHSA has partnered with the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association advocacy team to bring short advocacy trainings that will be useful to the seasoned advocates and new folks alike! Now is the time to start training our advocacy muscles as we head into a critical budget season and a new federal administration. We need to be ready to advocate for the important work that we do at all levels and to be a voice for the kids, families, and communities we work for.
We’ve scheduled these trainings over our Monday director calls to best leverage your busy schedules and we encourage you to attend AND invite your program team. Your program team could include key staff and members who are engaged in social media and outreach to legislators and other community leaders. In the coming weeks WHSA will be reaching out to engage with programs to identify Go Team advocacy leads, or point people who will be key. This training series is a great way to begin engaging key staff and parents in advocacy.
“There is a lot of stress and uncertainty in our field right now and I challenge all of us to channel some of those feelings into action and agency via advocacy. I have not met a single person in our Head Start community who does not have a powerful story. Let’s take some time to practice telling those powerful stories perfecting our messages now.”
Where:
Virtual – Zoom
When:
February 3, 2025*
February 10, 2025*
February 17, 2025*
March 3, 2025*
*All meetings will take place from 12-1:30CST during the normally scheduled WHSA weekly Directors’ calls. We expect the Advocacy Series session to last 30-60 minutes. After, the normally scheduled directors call will take place for the remaining time.
Audience:
All those interested in HS/EHS advocacy.
Parents, staff, management, etc.
Questions:
Contact Brian at Brians@whsaonline.org or Jennie at Jenniem@whsaonline.org.
Event Schedule:
Session 1 – February 3, 2025
Advocacy 101: Telling Your Story
Personal stories are a powerful advocacy tool. This section will offer a framework for crafting your own story and tips for contacting your elected officials to share your story.
Session 2 – February 10, 2025
Advocacy 102: An Overview of Advocating for ECE
Learn about the history of ECE advocacy, discover who represents you, and demystify the state budget process.
Session 3 – February 17, 2025
Advocacy 103: Partnering with Families in Advocacy
Discover how to engage families in advocacy efforts. Learn strategies to collaborate with parents and caregivers to amplify their voices and drive change in early care and education.
Session 4 – March 3, 2025
Advocacy 104: Partnering with Businesses and Community Leaders in Advocacy
Learn how to partner with businesses and community leaders to strengthen advocacy for early care and education. Explore ways to align early childhood needs with broader community goals.
*All meetings will take place from 12-1:30CST during the normally scheduled WHSA weekly Directors’ calls. We expect the Advocacy Series session to last 30-60 minutes. After, the normally scheduled directors call will take place for the remaining time.
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
