April 21 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.

Wisconsin Shares Program Integrity Training for Providers

A training video about Wisconsin Shares program integrity for Wisconsin child care providers is available! In order to be eligible to receive Wisconsin Shares as a child care provider, you must be certified or licensed, and participate in the YoungStar quality rating system.

There are various rules in place to ensure that child care subsidy is available for those who need it and that the funds are being spent and paid out appropriately. Provider program integrity ensures that those rules are followed, and it includes prevention, monitoring, and identification of improper payments and fraud of the Wisconsin Shares program. Watch the Wisconsin Shares program integrity training video or download the Provider Program Integrity Training booklet (DCF-P-5484).

For questions about Wisconsin Shares policies, please contact your local agency.

Nine Days Left to Return Your Cost of Care Survey

Time is running out to return the Cost of Care Survey that you received several months ago from your CCR&R. We are gathering this information to better understand the costs associated with providing child care. You will not be audited as a result of filling out this survey. Your honest information will help us understand the true cost of child care.

The deadline to return your survey is April 30. If you haven’t already completed your survey please do so now. Got questions? Contact your local CCR&R.

Office of Children's Mental Health Releases Tips for Parents and Guardians on Healthy Screen Time Use

The Wisconsin Office of Children’s Mental Health (OCMH) recently announced a new fact sheet “Healthy Screen Time in a Digital World” to help parents and guardians learn about the impact of excessive screen time use, especially social media, and to provide tips to improve children’s mental and physical health. OCMH encourages cultivating healthy habits to increase the amount of time kids are sleeping, being physically active, and spending time outdoors, all of which improve well-being.

To learn more about support for families, visit OCMH’s website.

Reminder: Child Care Counts April Application/Update Period Closed

The latest payment program application period is closed. Applications for the April Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by May 13, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next application/update period is May 16-20, 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.