May 26 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.

Additional One-Time Payment from Child Care Counts: Spring 2021 Response and Relief Payment Program 

DCF has identified approximately $2.6M in available unused funding from the Child Care Counts Payment Program from the previous Spring 2021 round. These funds are being redistributed to currently eligible providers who received funding for the Spring 2021 Response and Relief Payment Program A: Providing Safe, Healthy, and High-Quality Child Care Opportunities in June 2022

Eligible providers can view their additional payment amount in the Child Care Provider Portal on June 2.

Additional one-time payment amounts for eligible providers are as follows:

  • $1,100 for Licensed Group Providers and Public School Programs
  • $807 for Regulated (Licensed and Certified) Family Providers

Child care providers qualify for an additional one-time payment from the Spring 2021 Child Care Counts: COVID-19 Response and Relief Payment Program if they meet the following criteria.

  • The provider was eligible and received funds from the Spring 2021 Response and Relief Payment Program A: Providing Safe, Healthy, and High-Quality Child Care Opportunities.
  • The provider is eligible and regulated on the date that the payments were calculated (May 5, 2022).
  • The provider was open when payments were calculated on May 5, or if temporarily closed, will re-open by June 1, 2022.

This additional payment will be reflected in the Payments Data webpage.

Use of Funds

Providers must use the additional payment according to the terms and conditions from the Spring 2021 Response and Relief Payment Program A.

Spending Deadline

This additional payment will have a revised spending deadline. For this payment only, the funds must be spent by September 30, 2022 on costs incurred between January 1, 2021 and September 30, 2022. 

More Information

See Frequently Asked Questions section - Additional Payment - June 2022.

Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Training for Child Care Providers – Web Based Train the Trainer June 7

Learn how to teach Abusive Head Trauma Prevention Training for Child Care Providers using the PowerPoint developed by the Wisconsin Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board and the Department of Children and Families. Understand and commit to follow the procedures in the document AHT TTT – Procedures for DCF-Approved Trainers developed by DCF. The objectives of AHT Prevention training are:

  • To build awareness of abusive head trauma, its adverse consequences and how it is preventable.
  • To gain an understanding of the Period of PURPLE Crying.
  • To develop the knowledge and skills to handle the challenges and frustration of increased infant crying, including soothing strategies.
  • To create a crying plan in order to avoid becoming over stressed or overwhelmed by infant crying.
  • To be able to support and educate parents, caregivers and other staff about abusive head trauma and coping with normative crying.

The web-based training takes place June 7, 2022 from 12:30 – 2:30 p.m.

Register for the training through the Wisconsin Registry.

If you have questions, contact the Wisconsin Registry: 608-222-1123 or support@wiregistry.org

Reminder: Child Care Counts May Application/Update Period Closed

The latest payment program application period is closed. Applications for the May Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by June 10, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next application/update period is June 20-24, 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.