May 7 Child Care Provider Updates

Encourage Families to Request their Summer Authorizations 

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

Using the MyWIChildCare Parent Portal is a convenient way for your families to request authorizations.

Here are a few things parents can do on 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 your MyWIChildCare EBT card and track your payments
  • Sign up to receive a text message alert on your cell phone when you have a new message in the Parent Portal
  • Track all authorization requests entered in the Parent Portal using the Track My Requests button

For Milwaukee County Providers: Please consider posting the attached flyer where parents will see it or share it in your parent emails or newsletter!

Thank you for helping DCF share family-friendly approaches to managing Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy.

April Child Care Counts Update Period is Closed

The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the April Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by May 17, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next update period May 25 – June 2, 2024. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

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.

Reminder: Participate in the YoungStar Analysis and Update Project 

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is doing an analysis and update of YoungStar, Wisconsin’s child care quality rating and improvement system (QRIS). Our goal is to make YoungStar a more effective tool for setting meaningful expectations for child care quality, communicating information about child care quality to parents and caregivers, and supporting child care programs to meet quality expectations. Read more about the project.

Register to attend one of the upcoming listening sessions. 

Wednesday, May 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Marathon County Public Library.
Read the flyer for details.
Registration is required. Register to attend.   

Thursday, June 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the Oneida Hotel in Ashwaubenon, near Green Bay, WI.
Read the flyer for details.
Registration is required. Register to attend.

Stay tuned for more information on these and other listening sessions across the state.  

Take our survey for parents and caregivers, providers, educators, and child care stakeholders.

Tuesday Talks – April Recording Now Available

Did you miss the April Tuesday Talks with DECE? The link to the April talk on Day Camps is now available in the April 16, 2024, accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage.

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, May 21 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Child Care Counts Round 5, Child Care Foundational Training, and YoungStar Analysis and Update Listening Sessions and Survey. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and learn about future topics.

Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website. Información de las charlas del martes en español.

Reminder: Public Hearing on Draft Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) Plan Federal Fiscal Year 2025-27

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) is holding a Public Hearing via Zoom on May 14, 2024, from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to solicit verbal or written comments from the public on DCF’s proposed Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) State Plan, which is Wisconsin’s application for federal CCDF funds. More information about the Public Hearing can be found on the Wisconsin State Legislature website.

The draft CCDF State Plan is located on the Child Care Reports, Plans, and Grants webpage. If you are unable to access the document via the DCF website, you may request that a copy be emailed to you electronically. Those requests should be sent to DCFCCDFStatePlanComments@wisconsin.gov.

New SFTA Consistency is Key Webpage

Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) has launched a new webpage that provides information on the Consistency is Key program which aims to improve the health of mothers and children in Wisconsin. The project promotes ASQ screenings and Mind in the Making training through SFTA and its member agencies. You can find more information about this program on SFTA webpage.

Questions? Contact Penny Chase at penny@supportingfamiliestogether.org.

Save the Date – 2024 WECA Fall Conference

The 2024 Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) Conference returns Oct. 10-12, 2024, at the Madison Marriott West in Middleton! Join Wisconsin’s early childhood community for engaging and inspiring keynotes, workshops, breakout sessions, and other special activities. Registration opens in mid-July!

Are you expert in early childhood topics and trends? Consider submitting a workshop proposal by the Friday, May 17 deadline to ensure consideration – or share with others in your networks who are a good fit! WECA looks forward to seeing you this fall. Questions? Email weca@wisconsinearlychildhood.org.

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. *Registration not required.