Through the strength, leadership, and dedication of our members, wisconsin early childhood association will promote excellence in early education programs, support professionalism among our members, and call for a greater public investment in our future.

The wisconsin early childhood association's (weca) child and adult care food program helps pay for nutritious meals and snacks served to children in regulated family child care home settings. The program pays a fixed amount for each meal and snack served that meets the u. S. Department of agriculture's (usda) standards. Family child care providers are trained in program rules and proper nutrition for children. During the year, weca served 836 family child care providers throughout wisconsin. the t. E. A. C. H. Early childhood scholarship and reward stipend program promotes professional development within the child care workforce through scholarships that offer financial support to pay most of the costs of tuition, books, travel, release time, and a bonus after the student successfully completes a scholarship contract, in exchange for a commitment by the student to remain in their job for a specified period of time. Weca administers this program under contract with the wisconsin department of children and families (dcf) with federal funds from the u. S. Department of health and human services child care and development fund (ccdf). During the year, weca served 1,304 early childhood professionals through the t. E. A. C. H. Program. The r. E. W. A. R. D. Program is a compensation initiative that awards stipends to early childhood professionals based on education already attained and years worked in the field. Weca administers this program under contract with dcf with federal funds from ccdf. Weca provided 1,299 stipends this year. weca also provides continuing education classes and customized trainings and workshops for the early childhood workforce throughout wisconsin. Weca charged fees to cover the costs of these trainings. In 2017, weca provided 20 trainings on a range of topics including wisconsin early learning standards, business practices, professional development, pyramid model, literacy, and learning environments. In addition, weca facilitated 60 workshops at the annual state conference in green bay with over 500 attendees from across the state, and over 530 participants at the pathways to quality conference in milwaukee. This year, through conferences and trainings, weca helped over 3,000 early education professionals get the skills they need to grow in their career.