September 20 Child Care Provider Updates

September Tuesday Talks with DECE: Resources Available for Supporting Children with Special Needs

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is today – September 20 at 1:30 p.m. and the topic will be on Children with Special Needs.

Agenda:

  • Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot
  • Child Care Counts add-on
  • Promoting inclusive spaces
  • Questions and Answers

Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and learn about future topics. Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website.

Get Ready for September Child Care Counts Update/Application Week

The September Update/Application Week has been extended. The application will be open next week, September 26 – October 5. Prepare to update your child attendance and staff records and upload any needed documentation for the Count Weeks of Sept. 11-24 so you don’t miss out on any funding. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks.

Important Reminders

  • If you were approved for August funds, you must update your child and staff information during the next update/application period, September 26 – October 5, 2022.
  • If your August application is on hold (application status is “submitted”), you still must update your child and staff information during the next update/application period, September 26 – October 5, 2022.
  • Watch the How to Apply videos to view step-by-step instructions on how to submit your application. Review the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week video to learn how to make application modifications during Update Week.

New Spending Tools Available

You can now download one of two spending tool options to help you track your Round 2 payments (August 2022 – April 2023). This tool is recommended, but not required, for organizing and tracking your Round 2 payment spending. 

For Round 2, we heard your suggestions and created two spending tool options for you. You can now choose from a spreadsheet that you can use in Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets or a document that you can print out or use in Microsoft Word or Google Docs.

You can download the Spending Tool Excel Spreadsheet to organize your expenses with built-in calculations. You can download the Spending Tool Word Document to print or use in in a different format.

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.

Tired of Answering Calls About Enrollment? WEESSN Now Offers FREE Access to LegUp Enrollment Management Software

WEESSN is offering a new service for all three tiers. When you join WEESSN, you will now get FREE access to LegUp enrollment management software. This software will help you:

  • Handle wait-lists
  • Offer online tour booking
  • Share real-time availability

If you’ve been managing your wait-lists on a whiteboard, in a binder, or in a spreadsheet, LegUp will help you streamline a tedious and time-consuming task — and increase your revenues by making it easier for parents to fill slots in your program. LegUp will even help you create a webpage if you don’t have one. Best of all, it's so easy to use!

WEESSN—the Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network—is designed to make providers’ lives less stressful. Join WEESSN now!

DCF is Hiring

The Division of Early Care and Education, Bureau of Operations and Planning, is hiring an IT and QA Section Manager. This position oversees the Division’s information technology support and quality assurance section to ensure compliance with statutory and administrative code requirements for Wisconsin Shares subsidy, child care licensing and regulation, and the YoungStar Quality Improvement System through the use of automated systems. The deadline to apply for this position is September 29.

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.