US Senator Ron Johnson (WI)

U.S. Senator Ron Johnson will hold listening sessions from August 16 to the 25 in communities across Wisconsin. Senator Johnson will not be present but his staff will relay messages from constituents back to him. WECA encourages all early childhood care and education supporters to attend the listening sessions with Senator Johnson’s staff to voice their opinions on the importance of funding early care programs.

With the current political climate, and the passing of the federal Budget Control Act of 2011, funding cuts to early care programs could impact families, children, and providers. Programs including Head Start, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Preschool Grants Program for Children with Disabilities could all face cuts.

Here are a few talking points to help you share your opinions when speaking with Senator Johnson’s staff members:

Moving forward, it is important to continue providing federal funding to support early childhood care and education in Wisconsin. Early child care and education programs prepare children to succeed when they enter school and allow parents to be reliable employees at work. Please support early childhood care and education funding in upcoming budget discussions.  It is a wise investment today—to help assure that employers have the workers they need—and for the future, so we can raise a new generation of children ready to succeed in school, work, and life.

Listening Session Schedule:

Tuesday, August 16th, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Council Chambers, Brookfield City Hall
2000 North Calhoun Road, Brookfield, WI 53005

Tuesday, August 16th, 9:00 am – 10:00 am
Community Room, Altoona City Hall
1303 Lynn Avenue, Altoona, WI 54720

Tuesday, August 16th, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Menomonee Falls Village Hall
W156 N8480 Pilgrim Road, Menomonee Falls, WI 53051

Tuesday, August 16th, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Council Room, Clark County Courthouse
517 Court Street, Neillsville, WI 54456

Tuesday, August 16th, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm
Large Room, Crandon Public Library
110 West Polk Street, Crandon, WI 54520

Tuesday, August 16th, 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm
West Entrance Meeting Room, Taylor Co Courthouse
224 South Second Street, Medford, WI 54451

Tuesday, August 16th, 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
WPS Room, Stephenson Public Library
1700 Hall Ave, Marinette, WI 54143

Thursday, August 18th, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Conference Room, Florence County Courthouse
501 Lake Avenue, Florence, WI 54121

Thursday, August 18th, 12:30 pm – 1:30 pm
Lone Rock Community Center
Corner of Liberty Street and Broadway Street, Lone Rock, WI 53556

Thursday, August 18th, 1:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Council Chambers, Eagle River City Hall
525 East Maple Street, Eagle River, WI 54521

Thursday, August 18th, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Council Chambers, Rhinelander, City Hall
135 South Stevens Street, Rhinelander, WI 54501

Friday, August 19th, 9:00 am – 10:30 am
Small Meeting Room, Hales Corners Village Hall
5635 South New Berlin Road, Hales Corners, WI 53130

Friday, August 19th, 9:30 am – 10:30 am
Meeting Room A, Appleton Public Library
225 Oneida Street, Appleton, WI 54911

Friday, August 19th, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm
Meeting Room, Capitol Library
3969 North 74th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53216

Thursday, August 25th, 2011, 10:30 am – 11:30 am
Centro Hispano of Dane County
810 West Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713