June 7 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.

CACFP Offers Tips and Information Regarding the Infant Formula Shortage 

The Department of Public Instruction has compiled a list of tips for CACFP agencies and providers to assist in purchasing formula:

  • Reach out to local WIC offices that can do store queries to identify where formula is being purchased by WIC participants
  • Check local pharmacies
  • Go to a bigger city to check stores (be advised that stores may be limiting how much formula can be purchased)
  • Change the brand of formula the program is offering (CACFP does not require a specific brand), but be sure to notify families so they are aware
  • Try purchasing formula from an online retailer such as Amazon (be sure to check that the formula is regulated by the FDA)

On May 18, 2022, The White House announced the following steps they have taken to increase infant formula supply:

  • Invoking the Defense Production Act to increase domestic production
  • Launching Operation Fly Formula to use federal planes to fly formula in from abroad

An informational video and a fact sheet are currently available for more information.

Contact your assigned CACFP consultant with questions about this information or other CACFP questions.

Other Resources

Child Care Counts May Payment Available by June 10

The May Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program payments will be available to eligible providers by June 10, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The June Count Weeks are June 5-18. The next application/update period is June 20-24, 2022. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks.

Got questions about your Payment Program status? We’re here to help! Please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), too.

Child Care Counts Información en español.