August 16 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.

CCC Stabilization Payment Program Round 2 Starts August 22

The Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 2 Application Week begins next week, on August 22 – September 2. Prepare to complete the new Round 2 application, including answering the Feedback Questions and uploading documentation (child attendance and staff records) for the August Count Weeks of August 7-20.

Important Reminders

  • You must complete and submit a new initial application to be eligible for ongoing monthly payments for Round 2.
  • If you applied in July, much of your information will be copied to the new application. Be sure to review this information carefully and update as needed when submitting the new application.
  • You must upload child and staff verification documents with your initial Round 2 application.

Have 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.

Register for the 2022 WECA Conference

Registration is open for Wisconsin Early Childhood Association’s Annual Conference! This year’s event, with the theme “Cultivating Connections,” returns in a virtual format Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. This professional development experience brings together a range of informative and engaging keynotes, breakouts, and other sessions. Plus, all of this year’s registrants will receive two FREE BOOKS written by our keynote speakers. Register soon (no later than Sept. 9) to receive your books in advance of the event and enhance your conference experience.

For questions or more information, contact Jen Dittrich, WECA Membership and Training Director, jdittrich@wisconsinearlychildhood.org.

DHS Urges COVID-19 Vaccination for a Healthy School Year

As the 2022-2023 school year begins, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) urges parents and guardians to get their children vaccinated against COVID-19 . DHS also encourages anyone planning to attend in-person classes at a college or university to stay up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines. 

“Our mission as we approach the school year is to ensure that every student and our dedicated educators and staff can stay safe, healthy, and in school,” said DHS Deputy Secretary Deb Standridge. “A critical part of making this possible is ensuring that everyone is vaccinated against COVID-19. Even as new variants emerge, the COVID-19 vaccines continue to do their job of preventing serious illness that can lead to hospitalization and even death. We urge all parents and guardians to help protect our school communities and protect their children against the virus.” 

Everyone 6 months and older is eligible to receive vaccination against COVID-19. Nearly 389,000 Wisconsin school-age youth ages 5 to 17 have already received their primary series of a COVID-19 vaccine. However, approximately 75% of Wisconsin 5-to-11-year-olds and about 40% of 12-to-17-year-olds are not fully vaccinated against COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccines remain available to all Wisconsinites at no cost. View the entire news release.

DECE is Hiring Multiple Positions

DCF/Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is hiring.

  • License/Permit Program Associate Limited-Term Employment (LTE) position, in the Bureau of Early Care and Education
    This position provides complex and advanced paraprofessional, administrative, and program support for the child care background check section. The deadline to apply for this position is August 17. 
     
  • Policy and Comms Specialist, in the Bureau of Operations and Planning
    This project position will serve as a principal program and policy analyst and will consult with and advise leadership regarding multiple large federal grants currently being implemented by the department. The deadline to apply for this position is August 23.
     
  • The Operations Section Manager is a professional supervisory position for providing management, supervision, coordination, and leadership in the implementation of regulatory activities and quality assurance of child care programs within the Bureau of Early Care Regulation. The deadline to apply for this position is August 24.

DCF offers flexibility for predominantly remote work, and staff can report to any of the DCF offices. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs.

Reminder: Complete Your Business Intake Form (BIF) ASAP

Your local CCR&R has sent out the annual BIF. This electronic version of the BIF is partially prefilled with your program’s details for ease of updating. Information submitted electronically is updated in the CCR&R referral database. Information such as open vacancies, enrollments, and waitlists are shared with DCF and will be displayed on the Child Care Finder. If you did not receive the email, please check your junk folder.