July 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.

You Can Still Sign up for WEESSN Tier 1 Services for FREE!

The Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN) is a program of Wisconsin Early Child Association (WECA), which brings together family and center-based early care and education programs to pool resources and leverage economies of scale. Services include:

  • FREE access to Wisconsin Shared Education Resources (WISER)
  • FREE job postings through Aquire4Hire on eight employment sites, including Indeed, LinkedIn, and Google
  • Discounted purchasing through Savings4Members at Discount School Supplies, Lakeshore Learning, Kaplan, Childcraft, School Specialty, Ace Hardware and more
  • FREE quarterly trainings to help you learn how to maximize Tier 1 membership
  • FREE WEESSN Wrap-Up newsletter
  • Recipes and resources to encourage healthy eating and creative nutrition programming through the WEESSN Farm-to-ECE newsletter

Learn more about WEESSN and each of the programs listed above and sign up for Tier 1 today! Download the WEESSN Tier 1 flyer to learn more.

Child Care Counts Round 2 Begins in August

The Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 2 will begin in August 2022. Visit our webpage to see Application/Update Weeks and Count Weeks for August 2022 – April 2023. Additional information on Round 2 will be coming soon.

The latest payment program application period is closed. Applications for the June Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by July 15, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next application/update period is July 25-29, 2022. 

If you need assistance, 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.

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.

Reminder: Summer Heat Safety - Tips to Ensure that Summertime Fun Remains Safe

Summer welcomes warm weather and sunshine after months of snow and frigid temperatures, along with the opportunity for outdoor play! DCF has compiled some reminders to ensure summertime safety.

  • Inclement Weather: Licensing and certification rules require children have time to play outdoors unless there is inclement weather. Inclement weather during the summer is defined as heavy rain or temperatures above 90° Fahrenheit. Now may be a good time to review and update sunscreen and insect repellant authorizations.
  • Playground Safety: A child’s body temperature rises 3 to 5 times faster than an adult’s, making them more vulnerable to heatstroke. Be sure that children have ample access to drinking water, as well as shaded areas to rest beneath. It may be beneficial to review symptoms of heat-related illnesses with staff.
  • Transportation Safety: According to the National Safety Council, an average of 38 children die per year in hot cars as of October 2020, and 53% of incidents involve a parent or a caregiver forgetting the child was in the vehicle. Wisconsin administrative rules for all regulated programs prohibit a child from being left unattended in a vehicle. Always remember to look before you lock!

Contact your licensing specialist or certification agency with any questions.

Additional Heat Safety Resources