January 13 Child Care Provider Updates

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) will send updates to everyone who has subscribed to the DCF Child Care listserv.

Child Care Counts Reminders – Next Week is Application/Update Week

January 2-15 are the Count Weeks for January applications/updates. Next week, January 17-21, 2022, is the new Application/Update Week. Make sure your Child Care Provider Portal information is up to date and accurate. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks. If you received a payment in December, you must update your application during the January 17-21 Update Week, including open/closed status, temporary closures, and child/staff information.  

Temporary Increase to Child Care Counts: Program A Per-Child Payment Amounts

In response to the unprecedented surge in COVID-19 cases, DCF is pleased to announce a temporary increase of $10 for each Per-Child Payment Amount through Program A.

These additional amounts are intended to assist with operating costs amidst the increase in COVID-19 cases. This increase is reflected in the January 10, 2022 payment letters, and the updated December payment can be found on the Child Care Counts webpage, in the FAQs, under How Payments are Determined.

Child Care Counts and Temporary Closures: Providers who have already been approved for payments for the prior month may continue to be eligible for payments if closed due to COVID exposure during a future Count Week. This includes temporary closures that last through the entire Count Week. Please see Temporary Closure guide for instructions on entering temporary closures in the Child Care Counts Application, and visit the COVID Guidance section of the Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) are updated often, so be sure to check there first for answers to your questions. Reminder: Funds received under this program must be spent within 120 days of the date of Payment Letter for the given month. 

If you need help or have questions about your Payment Program status, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650. Check out our Updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to get answers to your questions. 

Child Care Counts Información en español.