September 18 Child Care Provider Updates Get Ready for the September Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period The next update/application period is September 20-28. Organize your records now so you are ready for the next Child Care Bridge Payments Update/Application Week. You must review and update your application every month. See the Child Care Payments Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks. Update Week Application Resources Submitting Your Child Care Bridge Payments Application Guide Update Week Guide – step-by-step instructions for updating and re-submitting your application Uploading Documents to the Child Care Provider Portal Guide Spending Deadline RemindersChild Care Counts April 2025 funds must be spent by September 27, 2025. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact the Child Care Payments Support Center by 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. WMELS Update Process The Department of Children and Families and its state partner agencies are reviewing the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS). The purpose of this public review process is to consider how we might incorporate user feedback, new research in the field, and promising innovations from other states into an updated version of our state’s early learning and development guidelines (ELDGs), currently known as WMELS. In the coming months, early childhood professionals and the public will have opportunities to offer their input on ELDGs and their usage in Wisconsin. Watch for messages and website updates in late September detailing the ways to share feedback. To learn more about the project, please review the ELDGs Revision Project webpage. This webpage will be updated regularly. Free Lead-in-Water Testing and Remediation Lead exposure and the clean water needs of Wisconsin’s youngest children are a public health issue. Young children are at particular risk from lead exposure, even at low levels. Their growing bodies absorb more lead than adults. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Health Services (DHS) are working together to help fix this issue for our early care and education (ECE) centers. Funding from the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN) Grant from the EPA is used to test water in licensed ECE facilities (group and family) for lead contamination. Then, based on test results, WIIN Grant funding may be used to carry out lead remediation services. These services may include filter installation and maintenance, replacing lead fixtures, and providing bottled water and/or clean water filling stations. Watch for emails or phone calls from your local public water system or local health department inviting you to participate in the WIIN Lead-in-Water Testing program. To date, 556 licensed child care centers in Wisconsin have participated in the program. For more information visit the DHS Lead-Safe Wisconsin webpage. 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: The Four-Step Approach to Difficult Conversations with Families Managing difficult conversations can be challenging. The four-step approach offers strategies for promoting positive interactions with families that are collaborative, supportive, and focus on problem-solving. Live session on October 1 | 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. This event is only offered in Spanish. Register through the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on September 28, 2025 Questions? Contact Maria Matrak at mmatrak@youngstarconnect.com CCFT Train-the-Trainer Events Open for Registration The Fall 2025 Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT) Train-the-Trainer sessionwill be held in Eau Claire at the Fairfield Inn & Suites, Tuesday, October 14 through Friday, October 17. Registration is now open on the Registry's Statewide Training Calendar. Tuesday, October 14:Fundamentals of Family Child Care with Kelly Matthews Wednesday, October 15: Fundamentals of Infant and Toddler Carewith Amy Alt Thursday, October 16:Introduction to the Child Care Profession with Terryl Wheelock Friday, October 17:Skills & Strategies for the Child Care Teacher with Terryl Wheelock As a reminder, there arerequirements to be a CCFT Trainer. To attend these events, you must have: Tier 3 Trainer status A Training Sponsor Organization (TSO) Signed the CCFT TSO and Trainer Agreement Completed the AHT Prevention Train-the-Trainer session to offer Introduction & Infant/Toddler CCFT course Completed the CCFT What You Need to Knowwebinar Trainer Resources CCFT Trainer Requirements, please check the CCFT Instructor Approval Process WI Registry’s Child Care Foundational Training(CCFT) Instructor Approval Process Tier 3 Trainer Requirements: T-Tap Requirements Chart Registration ends October 3, 2025. Secure your spot today! Join the Celebration – Lights on Afterschool Lights On Afterschool, the annual rally for afterschool programs, is back for its 26th year! Every year, more than 8,000 afterschool programs nationwide host celebrations and open up to their communities to showcase what they do every day to keep kids safe and engaged in learning. This year, the event is on October 23. Visit the Lights on Afterschool resource page to learn more. Contact wosta@marshfieldclinic.org if you have additional questions. 2025 Statewide Out of School Time Conference Join Wisconsin Out of School Time Conference this fall to gain information, education, and resources which will support your programs, staff, and participants. In-Person | October 29-30, 2025 | Appleton, WI Virtual | November 7, 2025 Visit the Conference Page for more information Questions? Contact wosta@marshfieldclinic.org Early Learning Conference for ECE Professionals You’re invited to the 2025 Early Learning Conference in Eau Claire, WI. This event is for everyone who works with or cares for children – early childhood programs and professionals, caregivers, parents, as well as those who support early learning in our communities. Saturday, November 1 | Florian Gardens Conference Center, 2340 Lorch Avenue, Eau Claire, WI Cost: $50 (before September 30) | Register by October 12 Visit the website for full details and to register for the conference. Questions? Contact Child Care Partnership ccp@wdeoc.org.
