March 12 Child Care Provider Updates

Reminder: Beware of Fake Email Requesting Information Verification

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been made aware of a fake email being sent to some child care providers requesting information verification and threatening license revocation. This is a spam/fake email.

This email was not sent out by DCF, and you should not reply to it or click on any of the links. If you have already replied or clicked on any links, notify your IT department or service person immediately.

DCF-Approved Trainers for SBS & AHT Prevention Training for Child Care Providers Information Update
Dear [child care provider name]
Kindly verify if the information below is correct and up to date.
Note: This secure verification link below will expire after 24 hours, and if we did not receive your verification / update before the link expire, we will have to revoke your license.

Ways to Spot Phishing Emails

  1. Suspicious Sender Address – check the sender address and make sure it’s really coming from who it says it’s coming from. Hover (don’t click) your cursor on the sender address and it will show who it is really coming from.
  2. Spoofed web links – it is possible that a link in an email appears to go to a safe, familiar website, but actually directs you to a malicious website. Never click on a questionable link sent from an email.
  3. Spelling, grammar, layout – phishing emails often have poor grammar, sentence structure, spelling errors, and formatting issues. Reputable organizations generally send professional communications.
  4. Suspicious attachments – be skeptical of unsolicited emails containing attachments. Scammer’s emails sometimes contain attachments that are actually malware. Never click on an attachment from an unknown source.
  5. Threats or a false sense of urgency – phishing emails often try to persuade a user to act by trying to convey a sense of urgency. They warn of dire consequences unless you follow their instructions or lure you with false promises.
     

Important Updates: Child Care Foundational Trainings

Since the revised Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFTs) launched in July 2024, DCF has heard from trainers, training participants, and child care providers about what is working well with the new courses and where we can make improvements.

One of the most consistent messages we have heard is that the new courses better prepare aspiring providers to deliver quality care and education to children. Many have also shared that the length of the courses, including the face-to-face requirement, has created challenges for trainers and participants. In response to this feedback, we are updating the CCFTs with some key changes while still maintaining the integrity of the trainings.

Effective July 1, 2026, the 50-hour courses will be reduced to 45 hours, and the minimum 15-hour face-to-face requirement is reduced to 10 hours. Fundamentals of Family Child Care will stay the same.

New Child Care Foundational Trainings Administrator

Additionally, to continue to strengthen and align trainings across the early childhood system, beginning July 1, 2026, DCF will contract with The Professional Development Network (PDN), a program of the Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System (WCWPDS) at UW-Milwaukee, to administer the CCFTs.

All CCFT course registration and online content will transition from the Wisconsin Registry to PDN. DCF will be working together with PDN and the Wisconsin Registry to make this transition as smooth as possible.

Users can access the PDN training calendar to search and register for CCFTs beginning in May 2026.

We appreciate all of you who have shared your thoughts and concerns with us. See our Child Care Foundational Training webpage for complete details and FAQs. More information about the transition will be shared in upcoming DCF communications. Any questions may be directed to DCFDECECCTraining@wisconsin.gov.

Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) Prevention Training

To continue to strengthen and align trainings across the early childhood system, beginning July 1, 2026, DCF’s free online AHT prevention training will have a new home. The training will be available in English and Spanish on The Professional Development Network (PDN) online Learning Management System (LMS).

The training link on the Wisconsin Registry site will no longer be accessible after June 30. 

See DCF’s AHT Prevention Training for Child Care Providers webpage for more details about the trainings. More information about the transition will be shared in upcoming DCF communications. Any questions may be directed to DCFDECECCTraining@wisconsin.gov. 

March Child Care Bridge Payments Count Weeks

The March Count Weeks are March 8-21, 2026. Start organizing your records now so you are ready for the update/application week. You must review and update your application every month. See the Child Care Payments Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

The next update/application period is March 21-29, 2026. 

Support Center

Please send your questions to the Child Care Payments mailbox: DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov and include your name, phone number, provider number, and details of your question in your email. A Support Center specialist will reply as soon as possible. Support Center hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F.

Tuesday Talks – February Recording Now Available and Join Us in March

Did you miss the February Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the February talk which previewed upcoming projects in 2026 is now available in the February 17, 2026 accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage. This is where you can access all the resource links shared during the Talk as well.

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, March 17 at 1:30 p.m. and will cover Immunizations and the Get Kids Ready Program Eligibility Verification Application. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2026 Tuesday Talks series.

DCF is Hiring for a 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), is currently recruiting to fill two (2) Licensing/Certification Specialist positions in the Southeastern Region headquartered in Milwaukee, WI (635 N. 26th Street).

While this position is headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, it is comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week. Successful candidates must have the ability to travel anywhere within the region at any time; DCF has fleet vehicles available for use for required travel. Hybrid work options will be discussed further during the interview. Come see why DCF is such a great place to work!

The deadline to apply is Monday, March 23, 2026. Learn more about this position on Wisc.Jobs.

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.

  • Virtual: Planning Your Physical Environments to Reduce Behaviors that Challenge You
    • Review key elements of the physical, social, and temporal environments that best support young children. Participants will evaluate their physical environment and conduct an audit on two current learning centers of their choice. To get the most out of this training, come with images or a diagram of your environment.
    • Live session | March 27 | 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
    • Register through the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on March 24, 2026
    • Questions? Contact Kalli Leu at kleutenegger@youngstarconnect.com.
       
  • Free: Enhancing Social-Emotional Development through Play Kits
  • Emotion Regulation in Action: Science-Based Strategies for Early Childhood