May 1 Child Care Provider Updates

Encourage Your Families to Request their Summer Authorizations! 

Do you currently serve families using Wisconsin Shares subsidy? With summer fast approaching, this is a great time to encourage your families to use the MyWIChildCare Parent Portal to request their summer authorization.

Here are a few things parents can do in the Parent Portal: 

  • View child care authorizations
  • Schedule an appointment for an authorization request (Milwaukee County only)
  • Request a new authorization or make changes to a current authorization
  • Check the balance on their MyWIChildCare EBT card and track their payments
  • Sign up to receive a text message alert on their cell phone when they have a new message in the Parent Portal
  • Track all authorization requests entered in the Parent Portal using the Track My Requests button

Please consider posting the summer child care reminder flyer (Milwaukee County only) where parents will see it or share it in your parent emails or monthly newsletter!

Tuesday Talks – April Recording Now Available

Did you miss the April Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the April talk featuring the Survey Findings on the Impact of Child Care Counts Ending is now available in the April 15, 2025 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, May 20 at 1:30 p.m. and will be a continuation of our Licensing Back to Basics series on the topic of Day Camps. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2025 Tuesday Talks.

Get Ready for the April Child Care Counts Update Period

The April Count Weeks are April 25 – May 10. The next update/application period is May 10-18. 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. You risk overpayment if you don’t properly update your application. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

Spending Deadline Reminder

All Stabilization Payment Program funds must be spent within 120 days from the date of the payment letter. See the Use of Funds section of the Round 5 Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

  • December 2024 funds must be spent by May 10, 2025. 

If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650, M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Reminder: DCF is Hiring for Four Positions

The Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is currently recruiting to fill four positions:

  • The Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR) is currently recruiting to fill a Licensing/Permit and Program Associate-Senior (LPPA) position in Tommy G. Thompson Building at 201 W. Washington Ave. Madison, WI. While this position is headquartered in Madison, WI it is has the option to work hybrid for up to 80%. This schedule may change based on training or operational needs. This position provides complex and advanced paraprofessional, administrative, and program support for the regional licensing program, manager, and licensing specialists. The deadline to apply is May 5, 2025.
     
  • The Bureau of Operations and Planning Director oversees multiple division-level activities such as information technology stewardship and data stewardship, training and technical communications, budget and contract support, project and portfolio management, and division reporting, auditing, and quality assurance. The deadline to apply of this position is May 7, 2025.
     
  • The Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration (BCCSA) is recruiting for a Program and Policy Analyst Advanced. This position is responsible for the policy development, implementation of new and ongoing initiatives, problem solving, and providing guidance to local agency staff through the Child Care Subsidy and Technical Assistance Line and email. This position is also responsible for monitoring the administration and evaluation of the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy program. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. on May 11, 2025.
     
  • The Child Care Modernization Lead will work on key DECE programs, projects, and automation effort for initiatives such as Child Care Counts and Wisconsin Shares modernization. The deadline to apply for this position is May 13, 2025.

Learn more about these positions 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.

  • Free Virtual Training – Ages & Stages

    • Children develop on their own timelines. Learn about milestones and how to help when one size doesn't fit all.
    • Monday, May 12 | Virtual | 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Register today!
    • Questions? Contact Ann-Marie St John at 262-549-5575 or astjohn@parentsplacewi.org

  • CCR&R Annual Conference - Conscious Discipline

    • This year's CCR&R conference introduces participants to the foundational principles and practices of Conscious Discipline, a research-based approach to social-emotional learning, self-regulation, and classroom management. See the flyer for details.
    • Saturday, June 14 – 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. | Culver Family Welcome Center – Oshkosh, WI
    • Cost: $25/person | Register for the conference.

  • Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards – (20 hours)