January 16 Child Care Provider Updates ¿Quiere recibir esta información en español? Suscríbase a nuestra listserv en español. Watch for Your 1099 Form from FIS It's tax time! If you accept Wisconsin Shares at your child care program or you have received Child Care Counts funds, you will receive a 1099 form for 2024 from Fidelity National Information Services (FIS). Watch for yours in the mail. Tuesday Talks: Join us Tuesday, January 21 The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is this coming Tuesday, January 21 at 1:30 p.m. and we will be sharing a Look Ahead in 2025 and the YoungStar Analysis and Update Project 2024 Findings. Registration is not required for these events. Tuesday Talks with DECE is held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the 2025 Zoom link and download calendar invitation. Get Ready for the January Child Care Counts Update Period The January Count Weeks are January 12-25. The next update/application period is January 25 – February 2. Organize your records now so you are ready for the next Child Care Counts update/application week. You must review and update your application every month. If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650. Child Care Counts Información en español. DCF is Hiring for the Southeastern Licensing/Certification Specialist Are you passionate about supporting the health, safety, and quality care for young children? If you're an experienced child care teacher or early care educator looking to expand your impact beyond the classroom, consider joining our team as a Child Care Licensing Specialist with the Bureau of Early Care Regulation. Professional experience in the early care and education setting is a requirement of this position. The Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), Southeastern Regional Office (SERO) is currently recruiting to fill a Licensing/Certification Specialist position in Milwaukee, WI, and will have the option to work hybrid for up to four (4) days per week. This position will evaluate, license, and monitor assigned child care programs (family child care, group child care, day camps, certified providers). The Licensing/Certification Specialist will 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 recommends and participates in issuing enforcement actions to support compliance of the licensing or certification rules. For more details about this position and how to apply, please visit Wisc.jobs. Once on Wisc.jobs, click on the ”Search by Agency” drop down menu or “Agency/Organization” depending on your browser, then click on the “Dept of Children and Families” selection to find the position posting. Thanks for considering bringing your talents and experiences to our team. The deadline to apply is January 21, 2025. January is Radon Action Month! Governor Tony Evers has declared January as National Radon Action Month in Wisconsin which is also observed each January by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. About one out of 10 homes in Wisconsin have high radon levels, which can increase the chances of developing lung cancer. Any home or building can be susceptible to radon. Licensed family and group child care centers are required to test for radon every two years for residential buildings and every five years for commercial buildings. During National Radon Action Month, individuals are eligible to purchase reduced-cost test kits through Radon Information Centers (RIC). As a reminder, continuous radon detection monitors do not meet the licensing requirement for testing for radon. The only way to ensure that a continuous detection monitor is still working properly is through regular testing. If you have questions about radon, you can get in touch with a radon expert by calling 888-LOW-RADON (888-569-7236). If you have questions regarding testing requirements for licensed child care programs, please contact your assigned licensing specialist. Additional Radon Information Resources DHS Press Release – DHS Encourages Homeowners, Property Owners, and Schools to Test for Radon National Radon Action Month – Wisconsin Social Media and Promotion Toolkit DHS Radon in Child Care Promoting Respiratory Illness Vaccinations The Department of Health Services (DHS) has published respiratory illness vaccine promotion communication tool kits, including one for K-12 schools and early care and education programs. Each tool kit contains patient education and outreach tools, sample press releases, and sample social media messages. Promoting Respiratory Illness Vaccinations 2024-2025 Toolkit for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs DHS Respiratory Illness Data If you have any questions, you may contact Stephanie Schauer at Stephanie.Schauer@dhs.wisconsin.gov. If you missed the live webinar … Updates to the DHS Communicable Diseases Chart Be sure to check out the recorded webinar Consulting the Rainbow: Updates to the Wisconsin Childhood Communicable Diseases Chart. Dr. Navsaria helps us interpret the DHS chart and dispels myths about exclusions in child care settings. The webinar addresses: Where to find the updated (2024) DHS Communicable Diseases Chart The three key criteria for temporary exclusion from child care Explores approaches for using the updated chart How the Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) program can be a resource for providers with health and safety questions Reminder: Child Care Foundational Trainer Survey – Due January 17! Are you interested in becoming an approved Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT) trainer? The Wisconsin Registry CCFT Team is planning for the next CCFT Train the Trainer events in the spring of 2025. If you are interested in becoming a CCFT Trainer, please fill out our CCFT Trainer Interest Form to help with planning. Please complete this form by Friday, January 17, 2025, for your response to be considered in planning purposes. If you are unsure if you are a Tier 3 Trainer and/or meet the requirements to be a Tier 3 Trainer, please reach out to the Registry at support@wiregistry.org. Additional CCFT Information WI Registry CCFT Information for Providers WI Registry CCFT Information for Trainers and TSOs Reminder: Voluntary Payment Agreement (VPA) Processing Delay At the end of every year Voluntary Payment Agreement (VPA) submissions increase. Due to this increase, there will be noticeable delays in processing submissions and funds being removed from provider’s accounts. Please do not submit duplicate VPA submissions. If you have questions about a submission’s processing time, please contact childcare@wisconsin.gov. Upcoming Events and Education/Training Opportunities The below events are hosted by DCF, one of its partners, or is one that may be relevant to the early childhood field. Click/tap on the titles below to learn more about each event. Stress and Resilience: Strengthening Well-Being for Early Childhood Professionals This course offers early childhood educators strategies to recognize stressors and explore ways to build resilience in both their personal and professional lives. The training aims to support educators in navigating challenges with greater ease and promoting a healthier, more resilient mindset. Spanish interpretation is not available for this training. January 28, 2025, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. | Cost – Free | Register (via Registry) Questions? Contact Nicole Cusimano at ncusimano@youngstarconnect.com. Join the Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference on January 28, 2025 Sign up for the Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference! Get ready for an exciting, day-long event designed for everyone who raises and educates Wisconsin's children—dads, moms, grandparents, teachers, and caregivers. Free/Virtual conference earns up to 4 Wisconsin Registry hours for early childhood professionals. Discover cutting-edge, science-based ideas from today's leading experts. This year, dive into the transformative power of social and emotional skills in children and teens. Learn more and register for the conference. Spanish interpretation available upon request. Free Special Needs Training for the 53206 Zip Code Join 4C for Children in a 15-hour training session built to learn about children with diverse needs. This training will identify needs, teach how to recognize child development and delays, gain valuable hands-on resources to guide the children, and learn how to use the Ages and Stages Questionnaire – Social and Emotional screening tool: ASQ: SE. Each center will receive one screening tool kit valued at $295 along with a resource kit valued at $300 and 1 hour of technical assistance for implementation of the ASQ: SE. In-Person Training dates: March 11, 18, 25, April 1 and 8, 2025, at the 4C For Children office from 6-9 p.m. | See the flyer for more details. | English only. Register for this valuable training. | Registration deadline is March 5, 2025.
