February 24 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.

Infant Formula Recall: Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services has shared an alert regarding a recall on infant formula. A few days ago, Abbott Nutrition announced a voluntary recall of infant powdered formula manufactured at their Sturgis facility in Michigan, including Similac, Alimentum, and EleCare. This recall comes after four consumer complaints related to Cronobacter sakazakii and Salmonella. Parents and caregivers of infants who have used these products and have concerns about the health of their child should contact the child’s health care provider.

Abbott has also developed a web-based tool to determine if the consumer’s product was included in this recall. Consumers can check their product’s lot number, located at the bottom of their product.

Please see the DHS website for more information for families and for contact information for if you have any further questions.

Help Share Important Information with Families Receiving Wisconsin Shares

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is asking for your help in reaching families receiving Wisconsin Shares. DCF is sending a letter with the below information to families next week. Please share this information with your families so they can better manage their subsidy needs and learn about important DCF communications.

The new year brought an increase in Wisconsin Shares subsidy for most families. However, if the child care provider’s price is lower than the new Wisconsin Shares rate, families will not see this increase. This increase was reflected in benefits issued after January 1 for child care services that are provided in the new year. For more information, visit the Wisconsin Shares Parent webpage.
Families can use the Parent Portal to manage their subsidy needs. Once a parent has access to the Parent Portal, they can: view current or request new child care authorizations, schedule an authorization appointment, or select the option to receive text message alerts. Learn more about gaining access to the Parent Portal and how to use it.
Families can use the Parent Portal to sign up for text message alerts. Messages may be from their authorization worker or may be a message from DCF alerting them about new subsidy information. Learn more about signing up for text alerts on the MyWIChildCare Parent Portal Text Messaging webpage. Watch the Parent Portal training video, too.

Ways to share this information in your communications with families includes posting this information in your center, adding it in emails to your families, or sharing it on your center’s social media page or website. Thank you for helping ensure that all families are receiving this vital information. If families have questions, they should contact their local agencies. Thank you for supporting Wisconsin children and families.

Mark Your Calendars: Attend Upcoming Project Growth Webinars

You will have the opportunity to attend four different webinars to learn more about Project Growth and its two grant programs. Learn more about each below.

Project Growth Kick-Off Webinar

Join DCF and other project partners to hear about Project Growth and its two grant programs: Partner Up! and Dream Up! You’ll learn more about the programs and why child care is so important to Wisconsin’s economy.

Monday, February 28 | 12 p.m. CST
Join the Kick-Off Webinar via Zoom (registration not required)
Download the calendar invite with full details

The Project Growth Kick-Off Webinar will have Spanish translation services available and will be recorded for later viewing.

You must join the meeting using the link above (not by calling in by phone) in order to:

Hear Spanish interpretation
View the PowerPoint
Enter questions in the chat

Tip – you can download the Zoom app on your smartphone. This will allow all features to be available, including Spanish interpretation, viewing the PPT, and adding questions in the chat.

Join us on Zoom for the Kick-Off Webinar!

Webinar ID: 834 9549 6721
Passcode: 803437

Partner Up! Informational Webinars

Essential business owners and managers, child care providers, and essential workers are invited to join an informational webinar to learn about Partner Up! eligibility, application, and program details. Webinar content will be the same on both dates.

Dream Up! Informational Webinar

Learn more about the Dream Up! grant program, eligibility, and application process from First Children’s Finance, the Dream Up! grant administrators.

All webinars will be recorded and made available on-demand. Learn more on the Project Growth Website.

Now Available – Wisconsin Employer Perceptions of Early Care and Education: 2021 Research Snapshot

Last fall, DCF surveyed nearly 1,000 Wisconsin employers from every county in the state, across a wide range of industries. The goal was to better understand their perceptions about early care and education for children between birth and age 5, as well as what barriers businesses face in supporting employees’ child care needs. Gaining insight into their perspectives can help us connect Wisconsin business owners with the child care information and community-based resources they—and their employees—need to thrive.

This research data snapshot is now available on the Project Growth website!

Reminder: Child Care Counts February Application/Update Period Closed

The latest payment program application period is closed. Applications for the February Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by March 11, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The March Count Weeks are February 27-March 12. The next application/update period is March 14-18, 2022. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks.

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 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and Resources section to get answers to your questions and find helpful videos, application guides, and tools. Child Care Counts Call Center hours are 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. M-F.

Child Care Counts Información en español.

Reminder: DCF is Hiring – Bureau of Early Care Regulation Director

DCF is recruiting to fill a Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR) Director position. DCF offers great benefits for all permanent positions, personal growth opportunities, and work-life balance. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on Monday, February 28, 2022.