July 24 Child Care Provider Updates Get Ready! Child Care Bridge Payments Application Period Opens Soon The update/application period for Child Care Bridge Payments (CCBP), is July 26 – August 3. Organize your records now so you are ready for application/update week. This program is similar to Child Care Counts, with the same application, eligibility, and overall structure. Providers must continue to update applications monthly. 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 Payment Letter Date: August 15, 2025 Visit the Child Care Bridge Payments webpage and view the Terms and Conditions for details. How to Apply The Child Care Bridge Payments application will be available in the Child Care Provider Portal on July 26. All providers must: Submit a new initial application If you applied for a past round of Child Care Counts, some of your information will be copied to this new application. Please be sure to review any information that is copied over and update all new information as required. Your new initial application can be submitted in the first month, or during any future Application month through June 2026. See the Application Guide for instructions. Upload verification documents This includes child and staff records. See the Upload Guide for instructions. Application Notes The Child Care Bridge Payments application in the Provider Portal will be similar to the past Child Care Counts applications. You will see the same pages and questions in the application. However, some of the labels will look a little different – for example, to enter the application you will click on Bridge Payments (rather than COVID-19 Payments). Accessing past Child Care Counts applications after July 26 If you need to view past applications or upload verification documents for an audit of previous rounds, you can access past Child Care Counts applications by clicking on the Bridge Payments button on the Home screen, then click More and then select Payment Application History. 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. Tuesday Talks – Presentation Slides and Video Now Available We experienced technical difficulties with our recording of the July Tuesday Talks webinar. Please visit our Tuesday Talks Recordings webpage to view a recording of DCF Secretary Pertl’s remarks on the Biennial Budget, along with the presentation slides. Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, August 19 at 1:30 p.m. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2025 Tuesday Talks. Help DCF Find New Members of the Parent/Caregiver Advisory Cabinet (PCAC) The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is accepting applications for two parents or caregivers from the Lac Courte Oreilles (LCO) Tribe and Milwaukee County to join the Parent/Caregiver Advisory Cabinet (PCAC). The PCAC was formed in 2022, and parent and caregiver leaders advise DCF on early care and education programs and policies. Parents and caregivers meet quarterly, receive support and coaching as needed, receive compensation, and have the opportunity to network with parents and caregivers across the state. Please help get the word out to parents or caregivers in your program or community. Interested parents or caregivers should complete the application by August 7, 2025. Contact pcac@wisconsin.gov with questions about the PCAC or the application process. Child Care Provider Portal Contacts Page Within CCPP Do you have questions related to licensing/certification, YoungStar, or Wisconsin Shares? The Child Care Provider Portal Communications screen, within the Portal, includes contact information for each of these programs. Review and save this handy list of contacts. Learn more by reviewing page 15 of the CCPP Communications User Guide. 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: Keeping Children Safe: Stay Aware with Child Tracking Evaluate the effectiveness of your supervision and tracking systems to improve real-time responsiveness. This session covers the Scan and Count and Listen components of Active Supervision, along with a selection of licensing rules from Wisconsin’s Department of Children and Families (DCF) rulebook. Spanish interpretation is not available. Live session | August 8 | 12-1:30 p.m. Register at the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on August 5, 2025 Questions? Contact Mary Niec mniec@youngstarconnect.com Wisconsin Family Child Care Association Mini Conference Register now for a one-day Wisconsin Family Child Care Association (WFCCA) mini conference at Holtby Hall at the Dunn County Historical Society in Menomonie, WI. Join us to experience Protect Child-Directed Play, Play is Learning, and Professional Mindfulness sessions. Spanish interpretation is not available. Saturday, August 16 | 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. | Register today!
