May 28 Child Care Provider Updates

Gov. Evers Requests $15M to Support Wisconsin Child Care Providers

Governor Evers and the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation have submitted a request to the legislative Joint Committee on Finance to release $15 million for the Child Care Counts program. Read the press release for details.

May Child Care Counts Closes Soon – Apply Today!

Time is running out to apply/update your information for the May Child Care Counts program. The deadline is Sunday, June 2 at 11:59 p.m.

Update/Application Week Reminders

  • You must review, update, and resubmit your application every month.
  • Be sure to carefully review the child and staff lists for attendance and payroll status during the Count Week and click “submit” once you have completed your review/update.
  • Review the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week video to learn how to make application modifications during Update Week.

Spending Deadline Reminder

  • All Stabilization Payment Program Funds must be spent within 120 days of the payment letter date.
  • The spending deadline for January 2024 funds is June 8, 2024.

If you need assistance, 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. Child Care Counts Información en español.

Updated Wisconsin Shares Program Integrity Training for Providers

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has recently updated the free Wisconsin Shares program integrity training video for Wisconsin child care providers! View the updated video to stay up to date on the latest policies and .

In order for child care providers be eligible to receive Wisconsin Shares, you must be certified or licensed, and participate in the YoungStar quality rating system. Watch the Wisconsin Shares program integrity training video or download the Provider Program Integrity Training booklet (DCF-P-5484) to access helpful resources. Materials are also available in Spanish (Mire el video de capacitación sobre integridad del programa Wisconsin Shares en español. Descargue el folleto de Capacitación en integridad del programa de proveedores (DCF-P-5484-S). See the Wisconsin Shares Provider webpage for links to all trainings, frequently asked questions, and much more!

For questions about Wisconsin Shares policies, please contact your local agency.

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. 

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.

Child Care Immunization Assessment Reminder

Reminder: your Child Care Immunization Assessment is due May 31. The Child Care Immunization Assessment survey is available now through May 31, 2024. The booklet is available electronically. All forms found in this booklet may be downloaded from the Immunization Program webpage, under child care requirements.

The Child Care Immunization Assessment form and instructions are found in the booklet and online in both English and Spanish. You may use the form as a worksheet to collect the required information.

Please submit the assessment to DHS electronically through REDCap by May 31, 2024. The survey will close at 5 p.m. on this date and will not reopen. Complete the online REDCap assessment.

Upon completing the online immunization assessment, the information for your child care center will automatically be sent to your local health department. You do not need to send the local health department a paper copy. Please email DHSImmProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov or call 608-267-9959 with any questions.

2024 Statewide Out of School Time Conference – Call for Proposals

The Out of School Time Conference planning committee is accepting proposals for 60-minute workshops for the 2024 Out of School Time Conference. In-person conference dates: November 12-13 in Wisconsin Dells and virtual conference date: November 15.

You can submit a session for the in-person conference (geared towards program coordinators, directors, and administrators) or virtual conference (for frontline staff). Please submit one form per proposal. Proposal deadline is July 5, 2024.  

If you have any questions, please reach out to: uwspceconf@uwsp.edu or wosta@marshfieldclinic.org. Visit the conference webpage for more information.

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.

  • Conscious Discipline Ignite and Excite Training Sessions by WEESSN – Registration information is on the information flyer.
    • June 1 | In-Person – Madison | Hosted by WEESSN (English and Spanish available)
    • June 8 | In-Person – Wausau | Hosted by WEESSN
  • Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) Free Webinar