April 22, 2025

Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley Highlights Importance of Early Childhood Intervention Services and Programming

Without state and federal partnership, Milwaukee County’s ability to provide early childhood services is becoming increasingly challenging

MILWAUKEE – Today, Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley joined the Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) at Penfield Children’s Center to bring awareness to the importance of early childhood intervention programs, specifically Birth to 3 programs.

“We all want what’s best for our children in Milwaukee County, and early intervention efforts profoundly influence a child’s future success. By investing in Birth to 3 Programs, Wisconsin can build a stronger foundation for its K-12 system, reducing the need for costly special education services later and significantly improving a child’s readiness for kindergarten,” said County Executive Crowley. “We are calling on our state and federal partners to join us in supporting these critical investments, because this is not just about supporting vulnerable children – it’s also about securing a more successful educational future for all kids across Wisconsin.”

The first three years of a child’s development are the most important years of life, as a child’s brain development peaks before the age of three. Early intervention helps children build skills that will lay the groundwork for their long-term success. But early intervention programs don’t just help children; they also support their families and entire communities. These services are designed to support children’s growth and development while equipping families with the tools they need to help their child thrive.

Federally mandated programs like Birth to 3 serve 13,200 children across the state of Wisconsin annually. However, due to years of stagnant funding, coupled with declining reimbursements and a dwindling provider network, Milwaukee County’s ability to provide these services has become increasingly challenging. That’s why local leaders are stressing the need for early childhood intervention, advocating for increased funding, and sharing key recommendations to save Birth to 3 Programs in Wisconsin.

“As a physician, and more importantly as a parent, I’ve seen firsthand how profoundly the early years shape a child’s future,” said Dr. Ben Weston, Chief Health Policy Advisor, Milwaukee County. “When we invest in children early through programs like Birth to 3, we don’t just change their future, we change ours and we improve the health of our shared community.”

Milwaukee County alone has seen a 13% increase in children served over the past three years, while also losing two-thirds of service providers since 2018. These challenges undermine counties’ ability to prepare children for future academic success, potentially leading to an increased strain on K-12 resources and poorer overall educational outcomes.

The current funding model, relying heavily on county contributions, is also unsustainable. It’s further strained by slow Medicaid and private insurance reimbursements and a shrinking provider network. Wisconsin’s Birth to 3 Programs have an annual statewide budget of approximately $49 million, which is uniquely primarily funded at the county level, placing a heavy burden on local taxpayers. Wisconsin is only one of three states (Ohio and Maryland are the others) in which Birth to 3 services are funded mainly at the local level. County contributions in local levy and community aids account for 47% of the overall Birth to 3 Program funding.

Since 2005, local county contributions to Birth to 3 have increased by $10 million and costs and enrollments have also increased, while reimbursements have dropped off. A $10 million annual budget increase in State General Purpose Revenue (GPR) starting in calendar year 2026 is needed to stabilize the system, with additional long-term investments required to ensure equitable access and high-quality services for all children.

“Milwaukee County’s Birth to 3 Program evaluates children under the age of three, identifying potential developmental delays and providing referrals to early childhood intervention services, including speech therapy, physical therapy, vision and audiology services. This is critical support for families of infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities,” said Shakita LaGrant-McClain, DHHS Executive Director. “By ensuring the sustainability of Birth to 3 Programs, we are able to give Wisconsin’s children the best possible start in life.”

Over the past several months, a statewide group of providers, administrators, county officials, and advocates convened a “Birth to 3 Sustainability Workgroup.” Through this collaborative statewide effort, the workgroup released a report with key recommendations and a multi-faceted strategy to save Birth to 3 Programs in Wisconsin by increasing state funding and Medicaid and private insurance reform. The full report and more information can be found at www.investinbirthto3.org. 

“Here in Milwaukee County, our work is grounded in the vision of becoming the healthiest county in Wisconsin, but we must continue making upstream investments – like early intervention – to create lasting, positive change,” said County Executive Crowley. “By saving Birth to 3 Programs, we will ensure a successful future for our children.”

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