October 13 Child Care Provider Updates MECA Services are Now Virtual To better serve you, our Milwaukee Early Care Administration (MECA) has transitioned to fully virtual! What does this mean for you? No lines and no travel! Milwaukee County child care providers may contact a Parent Provider Liaison by calling 1-888-947-6583 options 1,1,2,1 or by email at DCFMECAParentProviderLiaisons@wisconsin.gov Milwaukee County parents can request an authorization change or schedule an appointment 24/7 in the Parent Portal or by calling 1-888-947-6583. Apply for ARPA Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Programs Does your program use bottled water due to well contamination? The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is now accepting applications for the new American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Well Compensation and Well Abandonment Grant Programs. The DNR will accept applications until funding runs out. Financial assistance is available to well owners to address contamination in their wells by awarding grants for the replacement, reconstruction, treatment or abandonment of their well. The eligibility criteria have been expanded beyond a previous Well Compensation Grant Program, and many previously ineligible individuals will now be eligible to apply. The expanded eligibility criteria include these changes to the contamination requirements: Any well contaminated with nitrate at concentrations at or above the state’s public health standard of 10 parts per million (ppm) is now eligible. Any well contaminated with arsenic at concentrations at or above the federal drinking water standard of 10 parts per billion (ppb) is now eligible. Any well with a source of bacterial contamination that presents a human health risk is now eligible for the program. Previously, only wells contaminated with fecal bacteria caused by livestock were eligible. A well with PFAS exceeding the drinking water standard in Ch. NR 809 (70 parts per trillion for PFOA+PFAS) or subject to an advisory from the Department of Health due to the levels of PFAS in the well is eligible for Well Compensation. See the DNR press release for additional information. Applicants who wish to learn more can attend a webinar about the American Rescue Plan Act Well Grant Programs at 6:30 p.m. on November 10, 2022, and should register in advance. Submit any general inquiries about these programs to DNRARPAWellGrants@wisconsin.gov. DCF is Hiring The Division of Early Care and Education, Bureau of Early Care Regulation, is hiring a Licensing Specialist for the Western Regional Office. This position will evaluate, license, and monitor assigned child care programs (family child care, group child care, day camps) to determine compliance with regulations established by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in order to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the children being served. This position’s caseload will primarily be in La Crosse County. The deadline to apply for this position is October 19. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs. September Child Care Counts Applications Being Reviewed Applications for the September Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by October 21, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. The next update/application period is October 24-28, 2022. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks. If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650. Child Care Counts Información en español.
