Kids Forward

A Wisconsin where every child thrives, esp. kids/families of color & those furthest fr opportunity.

06/03/2026

We've got a few new faces around here so we wanted to re-introduce ourselves! 😍

We believe every child deserves the opportunity to thrive.

At Kids Forward, we’re working toward a Wisconsin where:

💡 families can afford health care
💡 child care doesn’t consume an entire paycheck
💡 work pays enough to support a household
💡 communities invest in young people with care and dignity
💡 decision makers address the real challenges families face instead of blaming immigrants

But real change takes time. One recent win — extending postpartum Medicaid coverage in Wisconsin — took ‼️SEVEN YEARS️‼️of advocacy, research, coalition-building, and persistence.

That work is only possible because of community support like yours.

Thanks for following us here! To get more resources, insights, and updates that don't rely on this pesky algorithm, sign up for our email list at https://bit.ly/KFWISignup.

06/01/2026

Building a better future for every child and family in Wisconsin takes more than policy. It also takes imagination to envision what's possible.

We're excited to invite Wisconsin artists to help bring that vision to life.

We're seeking proposals from artists to help re-launch Reimagine Wisconsin, our multi-year campaign to reimagine an economy that works for everyone, not just the wealthy few.

Six artists will receive a $1,000 award each, a platform to share their work, and opportunities to have their art featured in campaign materials, public education, and digital outreach.

The deadline to apply is Monday, July 6, 2026.

Learn more & apply here: https://kidsforward.org/calling-all-artists-reimagining-wisconsin-through-art/

Share with your friends and networks!

05/28/2026

In case you missed it, the surplus deal failing in the Wisconsin Senate was a 👏🏽good thing.👏🏽 Why?

✅ This deal relied on one-time surplus money to pay for permanent tax cuts and ongoing spending. And when that temporary money runs out? Wisconsin could be left with a multi-billion dollar budget hole.

✅ A lot of the help wouldn’t have gone to the families struggling most.
Nearly one of three Wisconsin adults, including seniors, wouldn’t have received rebate checks at all, while about half of the money would’ve gone to households making over $100,000 a year.

✅ And despite the headlines about “school funding,” most of the money wouldn’t have actually reached classrooms.

Wisconsin families deserve more than short-term political band-aids. We need lasting investments in child care, public schools, health care, and affordability that actually last.

Full story at kidsforward.org.

05/22/2026

Reminder: The general school aid proposed in last week's funding deal by the Governor was never going to go to classrooms.

Schools still would have been stuck dealing with the same long-term funding problems a few years from now.

How do we fix this?

Strong public schools–where our kids & teachers have what they need–are possible when we come together, reject division, and demand a system where the wealthy few pay their fair share.

Read more at https://kidsforward.org/wisconsins-surplus-deal-didnt-pass-the-test/.

05/21/2026

Last week, the Governor’s problematic surplus deal was blocked in the Senate.

Let's be clear: there’s no doubt our schools need more funding. Parents, teachers, and students across Wisconsin are exhausted from the effects of years of underfunding. Special education funding especially has fallen far behind what schools actually need.

That is real. And families are frustrated for good reason.

But this deal would not have solved the problem. Here's 3 reasons why: https://kidsforward.org/wisconsins-surplus-deal-didnt-pass-the-test/

A surplus alone will never solve the bigger issue. Wisconsin families need lasting solutions: affordable child care, strong public schools, stable housing, accessible health care, and wages that actually keep up with rising costs.

An affordable, livable Wisconsin is actually possible if we focus on the root causes of how we got here: the wealthy few have not paid their fair share in taxes.

When we come together, reject division, and demand a system that works for all of us, communities can finally have the resources they need to thrive.

Thank you to the legislators on both sides of the aisle that voted against this.

05/11/2026

Earlier today, Governor Evers and Republicans in the state legislature announced a spending package that passes the responsibility, and blame, onto future legislators. We oppose it because it drains our state surplus to gain short-term political points while creating long-term budget problems for future generations.

A one-time check won’t lower the cost of child care, housing, groceries, or health care over time. Wisconsinites are tired of political gimmicks disguised as relief. If we truly want life to be more affordable for everyday families, we need long-term solutions that ask the wealthiest few to finally pay their fair share.

Families need leaders willing to solve problems for the long term, not politicians looking for a short-term headline before walking away from the mess.

05/06/2026

The affordability crisis is REAL. We don't need to tell you that.

Candidates running in this fall's election might offer solutions that trim around the edges, offering small tax cuts here and temporary relief there.

But we didn't get here overnight. We've got to skip political spin and get to root causes:

💵Too much of our hard earned money is being funneled up to the wealthiest few. And the system has been designed that way on purpose over decades.

💡But we can change it.

We can come together, reject division, and demand a system that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few.

Here's where we start: https://kidsforward.org/reimagine-wisconsin/

05/05/2026

We’re celebrating one of our own! 🎉🎉🎉

Kids Forward is proud to congratulate our longtime Board Member, Colleen Butler, on being honored as a Woman of Distinction by YWCA Madison.

This recognition reflects what so many of us already know: Colleen’s leadership, vision, and deep commitment to equity have shaped not only our organization, but communities across Madison and beyond. Her impact is lasting, and her legacy continues to grow through the people and movements she’s helped build.

We’re grateful for the wisdom, care, and clarity she brings to Kids Forward and honored to celebrate this well-deserved recognition.

Learn more here: https://www.ywcamadison.org/women-of-distinction

04/29/2026

Immigrants make Wisconsin work.

This May Day, we’re standing with immigrant workers and families who power our economy, raise our communities, and deserve to live with dignity and safety.
Our office will be closed on May 1 so that our team can join community members in honoring May Day, recognizing that our own families are part of Wisconsin’s immigrant story.

Find an event this Friday near you: https://vdlf.org/may-day-2026/

Read & learn more: https://kidsforward.org/this-may-day-kids-forward-stands-in-solidarity-with-immigrants-who-strengthen-wisconsins-communities-workforce-and-future/

04/24/2026

The KF office will be CLOSED next Friday, May 1 in solidarity with immigrant communities across the state.

🚫 No work, no school, no shopping to demonstrate the essential role immigrants play in our economy, communities, and democracy.

Sign up your business, donate, attend an event and help spread the word here: https://vdlf.org/may-day-2026/

w/Voces de la Frontera

Address

122 West Washington Avenue, Suite 620
Madison, WI
53703

Telephone

+16082852314

Website

http://kidsforward.org/

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