April 9 Child Care Provider Updates Child Care Bridge Payments End June 28, 2026 Reminder: The Child Care Bridge Payments (CCPB) end on June 28, 2026 and final payments will be posted on July 10, 2026. DCF encourages all eligible child care providers to continue submitting monthly applications through the end of the program. See program details on the CCBP webpage. April Child Care Bridge Payments Count Weeks The April Count Weeks are April 5-18, 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 April 18-26, 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 – March Recording Now Available Did you miss the March Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the March talk is now available in the March 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. In March we discussed: Child Care Bridge Payments ending Login Changes to Parent Portal Immunizations Get Kids Ready Program Eligibility Verification Application Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, April 21 at 1:30 p.m. and will feature Child Care Rule Revisions including for family child care and assistant teachers. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2026 Tuesday Talks. Child Care Info Review Survey Coming in May! Thriving Wisconsin, together with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) Network, is launching the “Child Care Info Review” Survey in May. This survey will help ensure decision makers and the public have access to up-to-date information on child care access and affordability. Your participation ensures your program is represented and provides a clear picture of child care trends across Wisconsin to support awareness and planning. This shorter version of the annual Business Information Form (BIF) will ask about enrollment by age, provider rates, and waitlists. The full BIF will still be released August–November to track trends. Help track how Child Care Bridge Payments impact your program! Complete the survey by May 8 and receive a $30 digital gift card as a thank you. If you complete the survey after May 8, you’ll receive a $15 digital gift card (up to 3,500 providers). The survey will remain open through May 31, 2026. For questions, contact Cassandra Gamble at cassandra@thrivingwi.org or 608-443-2120. 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. Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association Annual Conference Register now for the WCCAA Annual Conference Thursday, April 30 – Friday, May 1 | Oshkosh, WI Visit the conference website for more information and to register by April 15. Virtual: Embedding Math Into Transitions Math can be a fun way to engage children and families during transitions and routines. Learn ways to incorporate math during your transition periods. Live session | April 21 | 12:30 - 2 p.m. Register through the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes April 20, 2026 Questions? Contact Kim Yehle at kyehle@youngstarconnect.com Abusive Head Trauma Train the Trainer - Virtual Thriving Wisconsin is offering The Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) Prevention – Training of Trainers, designed for individuals who have previously completed an AHT Prevention training and are interested in becoming qualified to train others. Virtual | April 21 | 1 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. If you are planning to train the Child Care Foundations Courses (CCFT), this Training of Trainers is a required prerequisite before attending the CCFT Train‑the‑Trainer. Sign up for AHT Prevention Training of Trainers. WECA T-TAP Course Starting in April There’s still time to register for the TA Professional course in WECA’s T-TAP Series that starts in April! The course is one in a series that is required for individuals seeking a Trainer and/or Technical Assistance Professional Endorsement with Wisconsin Registry. Virtual | Fridays – April 24, May 1, May 8, May 15 | 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Cost $200 | Offered in English. Guides are available in Spanish. Register for the T-TAP course before April 17. El curso Fundamentos de la serie T-TAP T-TAP courses meet the adult education requirement for becoming an approved This course is part of the required series to qualify to offer Wisconsin Registry courses and earn Trainer certification. Course offered by Bright Training and Consulting. Virtual | Saturdays, April 25, May 2, and May 16 | 8 a.m. – 12 m. Cost: $250 | Register at Wisconsin Registry | Course Details: 1005263 The course and guide are available in Spanish Conscious Discipline® Building Safety Through Composure and Assertiveness Safety – emotional and physical – is the foundation for learning and connection. WEESSN is hosting three full-day, in-person trainings May 30 in Madison (English and Spanish) and Stevens Point (English), earning six hours of Registry credit. Cost: $25 | Lunch and program materials included Read the training flyer to learn more and register. | Registration closes May 18, 2026. Questions?Contact eapweessn@wisconsinearlychildhood.org
