June 26 Child Care Provider Updates Note: No listserv messages will be sent out the week of June 30 due to the holiday week. New Survey: Wisconsinites Support State Investment to Fix Child Care Problems A new survey finds that 90 percent of Wisconsinites say finding affordable, high-quality child care in Wisconsin is a problem, and over three-quarters of Wisconsinites support an increase in state funding to fix it. According to Governor Evers, “This new survey underscores what we've already known: child care is too darn expensive, it's too hard to find, and whether you have kids or not, the lack of access to quality, affordable care is affecting our workforce and employers, our economy, and our communities statewide…. And as leaders, we have an obligation to the nearly 80 percent of Wisconsinites who want us to do something about it and expect their elected officials to show up, act in good faith, and work together across the aisle to solve problems.” The University of Wisconsin Survey Center conducted the survey in partnership with the Institute for Research on Poverty. Read the press release. Read the full survey results. Reminder: Child Care Counts Program Ends June 2025 As previously stated, the Child Care Counts program will end in June, with the last payment being July 11, 2025. To date, the Child Care Counts program has been funded via federal dollars. That funding source is no longer available. We will communicate updates on the Child Care Counts webpage and via the Child Care Provider listserv email. Complete Your June Child Care Counts Application/Update Before June 29 Time is running out to complete required updates on your final June Child Care Counts application. The deadline is Sunday, June 29 at 11:59 p.m. See the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week video and Round 5 Application Guide for more information. Spending Deadline Reminder All Stabilization Payment Program Funds must be spent within 120 days of the payment letter date. The spending deadline for February 2025 funds is July 19, 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. Tuesday Talks – June Recording Now Available Did you miss the June Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the June talk featuring Online License Continuation and Certification Renewal is now available in the June, 17, 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. Child Care Foundational Training Subsidy is Ending DCF has been subsidizing the Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFTS) through grants for completed trainings. To date, we have subsidized 4,417 completions of the revised trainings. We are nearing the end of available funding for CCFT subsidies. If you are currently registered for a training that will end after August 31, 2025, please connect with your training agency to talk about next steps. For more information on the CCFTs, please visit DCF’s foundational training website. To see the tracker of remaining CCFT subsidy, please visit the Wisconsin Registry’s CCFT Tracker website. Note: Any potential future funding for CCFT subsidy will be determined by the state legislature through the biennial budget process. DCF is Hiring Three Licensing/Certification Specialists Are you passionate about supporting the health, safety, and quality care for young children? If you're an experienced child care teacher or early care educator looking to expand your impact beyond the classroom, consider joining our team of Child Care Licensing Specialists in the Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR). BECR is recruiting individuals with professional experience in the early care and education setting for three positions: Northeast Region: BECR is recruiting for one Licensing/Certification Specialist position headquartered in Green Bay, WI (200 N. Jefferson St). While this position is headquartered in Green Bay, it is comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week. Successful candidates must have the ability to travel anywhere within the region at any time, based on the needs of the work unit; however, the caseload is likely to be primarily in the following counties, including but not limited to Fond du Lac, Green Lake, Marquette, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waushara Counties. Remote work options will be discussed further during the interview. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. June 30, 2025. Southeast Region: BECR is recruiting for two Licensing/Certification Specialist positions headquartered in Milwaukee, WI (635 N 26th St). While these positions are headquartered in Milwaukee, WI, it is comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week. Successful candidates must have the ability to travel anywhere within the region at any time, based on the needs of the work unit. Remote work options will be discussed further during the interview. The deadline to apply is 11:59 p.m. July 6, 2025. Learn more about these positions on Wisc.Jobs. Family Resource Centers Offer Low or No Cost Educational Opportunities Family Resource Centers (FRCs) are a valuable resource for Wisconsin families. FRC services include low or no cost educational opportunities for parents and caregivers, which include tools, and strategies to promote healthy child development and enhance parenting competence. Please help raise awareness of the benefits of Family Resource Centers among child care staff so they can confidently refer families. Find your local FRC. 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. Quality Conversations: YoungStar Connect Office Hours: Wisconsin Registry Program Profiles presented in Spanish The next Wisconsin Registry led YoungStar Quality Conversations will only be offered in Spanish! Gina will be hosting the virtual event on Monday, June 30! This session explores optimizing your program profile. We'll guide you through key features of the Registry, helping you understand how to manage and update your profile for greater visibility and alignment with state standards. Registration closes Friday, June 27. Sign up today! Virtual: Embedding Math Into Transitions Math can be a fun way to engage children during transitions and routines. Learn to create an environment in which children are actively engaged in learning more often throughout the day and how to engage families during transition moments. Live session | July 8 | 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Register at the Wisconsin Registry. Registration closes on July 5, 2025. Questions? Contact Mary Niec at mniec@youngstarconnect.com. 4C Offering Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT) Sign up for CCFT courses from 4C for Children. Various dates are available July through October Introduction To The Child Care Profession Registry Event 979421 Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Profession Registry Event ID #973857 Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Registry Event ID #973861 Registry Event ID #973859 Fundamentals of Family Child Care Registry Event ID #979756 Webinar: “Early Experiences Elevate Everything: Early Brain and Child Development and the Future of Society” Dipesh Navsaria of Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) discusses the critical importance of the first thousand days of life and the key role human relationships and interactions play in that time period. Free webinar | Thursday, July 17 | 1-2 p.m. Spanish interpretation is available. Webinar is approved for 1.0 hour of continuing education credit through the Wisconsin Registry. Register today! Check out previously recorded ECHC webinars on the ECHC YouTube Channel.
