St. Francis Children’s Center Joins Next Door’s Child Care Partnership Program to Expand Access to High-Quality Early Childhood Education in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, WI — November 5th, 2025 — Next Door Milwaukee is expanding its early childhood partnerships in the community, welcoming St. Francis Children’s Center as part of its Child Care Partnership (CCP) program. Next Door leads this program through the federal Office of Head Start – working to increase family access to early childhood education to ensure all children receive a strong start in life and are prepared for school.

This new partnership brings together two of Milwaukee’s most respected early childhood organizations, both deeply committed to empowering children and families with comprehensive resources that build strong foundations in academics, social-emotional learning, and physical development.

Through the CCP program, teachers and program administrators at St. Francis Children’s Center will receive year-round support from Next Door’s team of instructional coaches to support the highest quality in classroom learning and engagement. Next Door Family Advocates and Early Intervention Specialists will partner with parents and caregivers on family goals and provide resources for basic needs, as well as access to healthcare and behavioral services for their children.

“We are thrilled to welcome 16 children through this new partnership with Next Door,” said Laura Felix, Executive Director of St. Francis Children’s Center. “At St. Francis Children’s Center, our mission has always been to help every child reach their fullest potential. By joining the Child Care Partnership program, we’re not only expanding access to high-quality early education but also strengthening Milwaukee’s network of care. Ensuring that more families can find the support, resources, and opportunities their children deserve.”

About St. Francis Children’s Center

St. Francis Children’s Center is a nonprofit, social services agency serving more than 1,300 children annually throughout Milwaukee County. Founded in 1968, SFCC is dedicated to helping children with and without special needs reach their greatest potential in inclusive environments. SFCC offers a range of programs, including:

• Birth to Three early intervention services
• Children’s Long-Term Support service coordination
• Inclusive Early Childhood Education
• Pediatric Outpatient Therapies
• Free family programming through the Family Activity Center

With a legacy of inclusive care and education, SFCC remains a trusted resource for families across the region. For more information, visit www.sfcckids.org or follow @sfcc_kids on social media.

About Next Door

Next Door impacts more than 1,100 children a year across two campuses, through the state’s largest home visitation program, and its Child Care Partnership program. Next Door serves as the grantee for fellow ECE partners across Milwaukee, including:

• COA Youth & Family Centers (Riverwest)
• Malaika Early Learning Center (Harambee)
• Malaika – ThriveOn King
• Neighborhood House
• St. Joseph Academy
• TenderCare Christian Child Care Center
• Train Up a Child
• YMCA
• St. Francis Children’s Center

Next Door is the only State of WI organization affiliated with the national Educare Learning Network, which provides a best practices ECE model, rooted in research and engagement, serving young children from under-resourced communities. Learn more about Next Door and ways to support our mission at www.nextdoormke.org.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.