March 22 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 March Application/Update Period Closed The latest payment program application period is closed. Applications for the March Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by April 8, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. The next application/update period is April 11-15, 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) to get answers to your questions. Child Care Counts Información en español. Improving Business Practices for Family Child Care Providers The Office of Child Care’s National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance is partnering with Tom Copeland on three upcoming webinars on improving business practices for family child care (FCC) providers. Who Should AttendThe webinars are intended for FCC providers, who will learn about marketing, legal and insurance issues, and money management/retirement for their FCC business. Business of Family Child Care: Marketing With Tom CopelandApril 6, 2022, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (Eastern Daylight Time [EDT]) FCC providers will acquire the knowledge and confidence to better promote their business and to succeed as a business. The content includes: Identifying the strengths of their program Learning five key marketing strategies Using the Internet to promote their program (e.g., Facebook, Craigslist, child care forums, online classified ads) Competing against child care centers and exempt providers. Register for the April 6 webinar. Business of Family Child Care: Legal and Insurance Issues With Tom CopelandApril 20, 2022, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (EDT) FCC providers will learn how to protect the children in their care, their property, and themselves. The content includes: Self-protection checklist to help reduce risks Homeowner and business property insurance Business liability and car insurance Legal issues: Custody disputes, price-fixing, and privacy. Register for the April 20 webinar. Business of Family Child Care: Money Management/Retirement With Tom CopelandMay 4, 2022, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (EDT) FCC providers will learn how to save more money for retirement and will learn how to invest using the various IRA plans available. The content includes the following: Identify ways to reduce expenses. Recognize where to put money to meet short- and long-term goals. Learn how to prioritize long-term financial goals. Understand the five basic rules of retirement planning. Gain knowledge about IRA retirement plans for providers (e.g., traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE, SEP). Register for the May 4 webinar. Reminder: Spending Deadline Approaching for Spring 2021 Child Care Counts Response and Relief Program Funding Recipients If you received Child Care Counts Spring 2021 Response and Relief Program funding, you must spend those funds by April 1, 2022. Review the Terms and Conditions for this program for complete details. If you have questions, please contact the Child Care Counts Call Center via email at DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650. The Call Center is open M-F from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Reminder: DCF is Hiring – Bureau of Operations and Planning Information Systems (IS) Business Consultant DCF is recruiting to fill an IS Business Consultant position (Bureau of Operations and Planning). 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 Tuesday, March 22, 2022.
