July 17 Child Care Provider Updates New Child Care Bridge Payments - Application Period Opens Soon DCF is excited to announce Child Care Bridge Payments (CCBP), a limited 12-month program that runs July 2025 – June 2026. This program is similar to Child Care Counts, with the same application, eligibility, and overall structure. Providers must continue to update their staff and child care records on a monthly basis by logging into the Child Care Provider Portal and uploading required documents. Once approved for payments, eligible providers may continue to receive ongoing monthly payments through June 2026. July 2025 Important Dates Count Weeks: July 13 – July 26, 2025 Application Period: July 26 – August 3, 2025 All providers must submit a new initial application and upload verification documents (child and staff records) Payment Letter Date: August 15, 2025 Spending Deadline: December 13, 2025 Read the Child Care Bridge Payments Terms and Conditions for acceptance of funds. Visit the Child Care Bridge Payments webpage for details. We will post additional information it becomes available. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Child Care Payments Support Center via 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. When contacting the Support Center, please include your name, facility name, provider number, and detailed question. Update Your Prices in Provider Portal When is the last time you checked and updated your prices in the Provider Portal? The new Wisconsin Shares Child Care Estimator is live, so you’ll want your prices to be accurate when parents and caregivers use the tool. The Estimator helps families better understand their subsidy amounts, plan their finances, and helps them make choices about child care in their area. To learn about the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Estimator, review the October 2024 Tuesday Talks with DECE recording (around the 14-minute mark). Update your prices in the Provider Portal today! If you have questions about updating your prices, contact your local agency. Child Care Counts Payment Program is Now Closed The June Child Care Counts payment letters were posted to the Provider Portal on July 11, 2025. Spending Deadline Reminder Funds received under this program must be spent within 120 days of the date of Payment Letter for the given month. February 2025 funds must be spent by July 19, 2025. March 2025 funds must be spent by August 23, 2025. If you have questions or 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. 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. Virtual: Let's Talk About Time-Outs – Spanish Only Join YoungStar Connect for a three-session virtual group coaching learning experience. Learn about the revised regulations around time-outs, 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. This event is only offered in Spanish. No English interpretation is available. Virtual live sessions | July 30, August 6, and August 13 | 12-2 p.m. Register at the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on July 27, 2025 Questions? Contact Maria Matrak at mmatrak@youngstarconnect.com Free ECHC Webinar: “Little Children, Big Defenses: How the Immune System Works” As an early childhood care provider, you know that children get sick…a lot! This is both a frustrating and normal part of childhood. In this free Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) webinar, learn how to reduce risk of infection and support the immune system within your program. Free webinar | Thursday, August 7 | 1-2 p.m. | Register to attend 1.0 hours continuing education credit | Spanish interpretation available T-TAP Course Series The T-TAP Course Series is a requirement for any individual looking to earn a Trainer and/or Technical Assistance Endorsement with the WI Registry. Individuals looking to train the Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT) must complete the Foundations and Trainer course and earn a Tier 3 Trainer Endorsement with the WI Registry. Learn more about the T-TAP Course series. Note: This training is offered by Thriving Wisconsin in collaboration with The Parenting Place. Questions: Contact Amanda Austin – amanda@thrivingwi.org. Spanish interpretation is not available. Foundations Course Prerequisite for Trainer and TA Professional Course Virtual Training: September 9, 16, 23, and 30 | 12-3 p.m. | Register for the course. Trainer Professional Course October 7, 21, 28, and November 4 | 12-3 p.m. | Register for the course. Technical Assistance Professional Course Virtual Training: December 2, 4, 9, and 11 | 12-3 p.m. | Register for the course. 2025 Statewide Out of School Time Conference, Innovative Approaches: Enhancing OST Program Quality In person | October 29-30 | Hilton Paper Valley in Appleton, WI Virtual | November 7 | via Zoom For more information visit the Conference Landing Page Spanish interpretation is not available. The conference planning committee is accepting proposals for 60-minute workshops for the 2025 Out of School Time Conference. You can submit for either the in-person conference or virtual conference (for frontline staff). Proposal deadline is July 21, 2025. Submit a Proposal. Questions? Contact WOSTA at wosta@marshfieldclinic.org. Catch up on the Latest ECHC Podcasts Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) podcasts share how early child care educators can improve the health and well-being of the children and families in their daily care, avoid unnecessary health-related exclusions from that care, and become better informed and prepared early childhood care and education providers. Check out the most recent podcast: Teachers, Toddlers & Tissues podcast Episode 28: “Autism: What Do I Need to Know?” Learn how to support children with autism and their families. Listen today!
