Reach Dane

Today is the deadline! Head Start staff, we need your voices!

Head Start staff, you advocate for children and families every day. Today, we're asking you to advocate for yourself and your colleagues.

A proposed federal rule would remove requirements aimed at improving wages and benefits for the Head Start workforce. Together for Head Start is collecting signatures on a joint comment letter urging continued support for workforce compensation and additional funding for programs.

This is your opportunity to help ensure decision-makers hear directly from the people doing this work every day.

Today is the final day to sign.
Add your name here: https://bit.ly/headstartsalaries

Please share with fellow Head Start staff before the deadline.

Big things are growing at Reach Dane 🌱

We’re excited to share that we’ve been awarded funding through the City of Fitchburg, WI, Healthy Neighborhoods Initiative to purchase seeds and starts for the 2027 growing season at Tilly's Farm!

This support helps us continue growing our farm initiative and create more hands-on learning, connection, and fresh opportunities for the children and families we serve.

Stay tuned for what’s ahead 🌻🥕🍅

Happy Birthday Head Start!

In celebration of Head Start's 61st birthday week, we're reflecting on cards sent to us last year. As Head Start faced an uncertain future, people across Wisconsin picked up a pen to share what this program has meant to them. The stories inside are as powerful today as they were then.

This one stopped us in our tracks. A single mom, working three jobs, rebuilding her life after leaving an abusive relationship, and Head Start gave her not just a job, but a community, resources, and a way to help others facing the same road she had walked. That's what this program does. And that's why it's worth fighting for.

This card was written during a moment of uncertainty for Head Start. One year later, that uncertainty hasn't gone away. The proposed 2027 federal budget puts Head Start funding at risk once again, which means the families and staff who depend on this program need our voices now just as much as they did then.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month 💚

Caregivers spend so much time caring for others, but your mental health matters too. A simple check in can go a long way. Here are a few conversation starters to support honest, caring conversations with yourself and those around you.

Thank you to our friends at Feist Vocational Counseling and Placement, LLC for doing egg drop off for our Red Arrow families! We super appreciate you! 🥚

A few members of our team spent time volunteering out at Tilly’s Farm (and Tilly was loving every minute of it!!) 🌱💚

We’re excited to watch the growing season come to life and can’t wait for all that’s ahead at the farm ☀️🌻🥕

Last Friday, our Reach Dane team came together for our Annual All Staff event, a time to reflect, reconnect, and celebrate the incredible work happening across our agency every single day. 💚

We were honored to welcome Dr. El Brown as our keynote speaker, who reminded us of the true gift of Head Start and the lasting impact early childhood education has on children, families, and communities. Their words spoke to the heart of the dedication, compassion, and commitment our staff bring to the children we serve each day.

To every Reach Dane staff member: thank you for the care, patience, advocacy, and love you pour into this work. The difference you make matters more than words can express. ✨

This week, we’re celebrating the incredible teachers who make a difference every day. 💛

Thank you for the patience, creativity, encouragement, and care you pour into every child. Your impact reaches far beyond the classroom, helping children grow with confidence, curiosity, and love.

To all of our amazing teachers at Reach Dane and beyond: we appreciate you today and every day.

Due to an MMSD closure, all sites will be closed on Friday, May 1st. We will reopen on Monday, May 4th.

Have a great rest of your week!

Last night’s East Madison Multicultural Event was something special 🌍✨

From the powerful rhythms of Beni Daiko to the moving African drumming and storytelling by Olayinka Olagbegi-Adegbite and Aleia McCord, the night was filled with energy, connection, and celebration.

With dancing, incredible food, music, and so many cultures represented, it was a beautiful reminder of the strength and joy in our community 💛 Thank you to everyone who joined us.