Next Door Executive Director Dr. Carol Keintz met this week with Senior White House officials at a briefing on Early Education in Washington.

Eleven early childhood experts came together to discuss the President’s Early Education agenda with department leaders. The Educare School of Milwaukee provided a model for leveraging early education to ensure school success. Keintz and her team have expanded early education for low-income children and families in Milwaukee’s central city. The meeting was held on Monday afternoon on White House grounds. Susan A. Buffett from the Buffett Early Childhood Fund and Senior Advisor to the President Valerie Jarrett brought together experts from seven states.

“This meeting demonstrates the growing bi-partisan commitment in Washington to early childhood education,” Keintz said. “The invitation speaks to the quality of work by many in Milwaukee’s central city.”

At the meeting, Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of Health & Human Services, Linda K. Smith and Deputy Assistant Secretary, US Department of Education, Libby Doggett led the discussion on Federal Funding Opportunities for Head Start and other early childhood education issues.

Secretary, Department of Education Arne Duncan, Secretary, US Department of Health & Human Services, Kathleen Sebelius, and Cecilia Munoz, assistant to the President and Director of Domestic Policy Council, also participated.

“It was an honor to be a part of this meeting and to be given the chance to include Wisconsin and Milwaukee in the discussion and present the challenges we face,” said Keintz.  “I am hopeful these leaders will use the research behind successful early education outcomes when considering funding and policy recommendations.”