July 30 Child Care Provider Updates

Round 5 July Child Care Counts Application Period Closes August 4

Time is running short to complete your Round 5 July Child Care Counts initial application. The deadline is Sunday, August 4 at 11:59 p.m.

Initial Application Week Reminders

  • See the Round 5 Application Guide for information about submitting your initial application.
  • All providers must upload child and staff records with their initial application. See the Provider Portal Upload Guide for assistance.
  • 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 application.

See the Child Care Counts webpage and for more information.  

If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650.

Note: The Support Center is open M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. In order to best support you, please submit your application early, in care you need assistance from the Support Center.

Child Care Counts Información en español.

Milwaukee County Drop Box Reminder

Effective June 1, 2024, the Southeastern Regional Licensing Office (SERO) has a new drop-off location for Milwaukee County providers, making turning in paperwork and checks more convenient – no more driving all the way to Waukesha. Providers in the Waukesha area can continue to drop off materials at the Waukesha office, but all mailed items need to be sent to the Milwaukee office.

Milwaukee County Providers
Drop-off address: 635 N. 26th St., Milwaukee
Drop-off hours: 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday through Friday

Updated Contact Information Sheet for Milwaukee County Providers

DHS Launches Maternal and Child Health Needs Assessment

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Maternal and Child Health Program, is launching a survey opportunity for individuals and families from all backgrounds across Wisconsin to influence the priorities and focus of maternal and child health programs in the state.

The confidential, 10-minute survey covers a range of topics, including prenatal care, access to health care services, maternal mental health, child and infant health, birth outcomes, and community resources. The survey is open through September 2024 and is available in English, Spanish, and Hmong. The survey results will help DHS identify current community strengths, partnerships, and areas where people need more support to improve the health of maternal and child populations. Complete the survey today.

Abusive Head Trauma Training vs. Child Abuse and Neglect Training

Child care providers must take a number of trainings to ensure they are maintaining the health, safety, and welfare of children while providing care, which includes trainings on the prevention of abusive head trauma (AHT) and trainings on child abuse and neglect (CAN) reporting requirements. These two topics are closely related, but the requirements around the trainings are different.

How to Meet AHT and CAN Training Requirements

Abusive Head Trauma (AHT) –Training that addresses the symptoms and consequences of abusive head trauma, identifies risk factors for abusive head trauma and identifies strategies to use when frustrated and stressed.

  • AHT training is required for each child care worker, center administrator, center director, volunteer counted in staff-to-child ratio, or substitute who provides care and supervision to children under 5 years of age.
  • AHT training must be completed and documented prior to beginning to work with children under 5 years of age.
  • AHT training must be department approved. A list of department-approved trainers that are eligible to teach AHT courses is available on our website. Additionally, a free, department-approved online training video is also available.
  • Providers are only required to complete this training once, but it is highly recommended that providers periodically refresh their AHT knowledge.

Child Abuse and Neglect (CAN) Training in child abuse and neglect laws and identifying, documenting, and reporting child abuse and neglect.

  • Licensees, employees, and volunteers of licensed child care programs are mandated reporters under the law and are required to take a training on child abuse and neglect reporting requirements.
  • CAN training must be completed and documented within one week after beginning work at the child care center. Watch the free online mandated reporter training.
  • Providers must retake CAN trainings at least every two years after the first completed training. Providers may retake the same training.

If you have any questions regarding AHT and/or CAN training requirements, please reach out to your assigned Licensing Specialist.

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.

  • Free ECHC Webinar – Children’s Vision Health: Birth to 5 Years – How can early childhood education providers recognize early signs of vision problems and help promote vision health for the children in their care? Samantha Butler, Community Health Manager with Prevent Blindness Wisconsin, will describe strategies for how to keep children's eyes healthy and safe, including the importance of children's vision screening. Questions? Reach out to the ECHC team at echc@sohe.wisc.edu.