June 18 Child Care Provider Updates

Tuesday Talks with DECE is Today

The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is today, June 18 at 1:30 p.m. and we will be talking about Child Care Counts and Background Check Updates.

Registration is not required for these events. Tuesday Talks with DECE is held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. 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.

Get Ready for June Child Care Counts Application Period

Get ready – the next Child Care Counts Update Week is June 29 – July 7, 2024. Organize your records now so you are ready for Update Week. Providers were notified of their eligibility for funds for their May applications on June 14, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. 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: YoungStar Quality Adjustment – Percentages Changing July 2024

The YoungStar quality adjustment provides financial support for 4 and 5 Star providers who care for children enrolled in the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program. The legislature allocated funding to resume the YoungStar quality adjustment, which began in January 2024.

Quality adjustment payments are made up of a percentage of the total dollar amount of subsidy authorizations for a provider for a given month. DCF closely monitors provider payments and available funds to ensure that we get as much funding as possible to providers while staying within the legislatively allocated budget for this program.

  • Between January and February 2024, payment amounts were 13% for 4 Star providers and 26% for 5 Star providers. Between March and June 2024, payments were temporarily increased to 15% for 4 Star providers and 30% for 5 Star providers to maximize provider payments using all remaining funds for State Fiscal Year 2024.

Based on our current projections, adjustment percentages for July 2024 and future months will be readjusted to:

  • 11% for 4 Star providers
  • 22% for 5 Star providers

DCF will continue to monitor spending, and if any changes are needed for state fiscal year 2025, this will be communicated to providers in advance.

Please see the YoungStar Quality Adjustment webpage for more information.

Únase a nuestra sesión virtual de escucha en español

(Join our virtual listening session in Spanish)

El Departamento de Niños y Familias de Wisconsin (DCF) está trabajando para analizar y actualizar YoungStar, el sistema estatal de calificación y mejora de la calidad del cuidado infantil. Queremos saber lo que piensan las familias y los proveedores /educadores de cuidado infantil sobre la calidad del cuidado infantil. Esto informará cómo actualizamos YoungStar.

  • Miércoles, 26 de junio - 6-7:30 p.m. – Español - Sesión de escucha virtual vía Zoom
    Lea el folleto para obtener más detalles.
    Es necesario registrarse. Regístrese para la sesión de escucha del 26 de junio.
    • Qué puede esperar
      • Este programa se impartirá en español.
      • A partir de las 6 p.m., los participantes aprenderán sobre el trabajo de DCF para actualizar YoungStar y se les pedirá que compartan sus ideas sobre la calidad del cuidado infantil.
      • Los educadores de cuidado infantil pueden obtener créditos del Registro de Wisconsin por su participación.

Realice nuestra encuesta.

DCF is Hiring Two Licensing/Certification Specialists

Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), is currently recruiting to fill a two Licensing/Certification Specialist positions – one in the Western Region (Eau Claire, WI), and one in the Northeastern Region (Green Bay, WI) These positions are comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week.

These positions will evaluate, license, and monitor assigned child care programs (family child care, group child care, day camps) to determine compliance with regulations established by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in order to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the children being served. Recommends and participates in taking enforcement actions. Investigate complaints against illegally operating programs and licensed programs as assigned. Provide technical assistance to individuals or groups involved in childcare programs. The deadline to apply for the Western Region position is June 30, and July 1 for the Northeastern Region position. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs.

Reminder: 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.

  • Budgeting at Its Best: When Your Heart and Brain Meet Head On and Using Your Program's Protective Gear: Policies, Contracts, and Risk Management – hosted by WECA and YoungStar Connect. Registration details in the information flyer.
    • June 22 | In-Person – Eau Claire
    • June 22 | In-Person – Milwaukee
    • June 29 | In-Person – Green Bay 
       
  • YoungStar Connect - Virtual Live Training Opportunities - Take a look at YoungStar Connect's live training calendar to see all available options.
  • Innovative Partnerships Webinar - The Parenting Place invites you to learn about their innovative partnership with The City of La Crosse which is utilizing The City of La Crosse ARPA funding to address child care challenges by increasing the availability and sustainability of child care in our community. Learn more about the partnership.
    • June 25 – 12 p.m. Registration link.
       
  • Let’s Talk About Time-Outs – Join YoungStar Connect and The Registry for a three-session virtual group coaching learning experience on Zoom. Learn about revised regulations around time-outs and what this means for your program, and how to stay in compliance while ensuring that both kids and caregivers get what they need to be successful. Register and learn more today!
    Training Dates
    • July 11, 6-8 p.m.
    • July 18, 6-8 p.m.
    • July 25, 6-7 p.m.