October 2 Child Care Provider Updates 2025-27 Biennial Budget FAQs: Regulation Changes and Get Kids Ready DCF is working to provide information about implementation of the child care provisions of the 2025-27 Biennial Budget as quickly as possible. We recently posted new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about assistant child care teachers, group child care ratios, and the Get Kids Ready program. These FAQs can be found on the Early Care and Education Biennial Budget webpage. Group Licensing Rule Books Updated to Clarify 2025-27 Budget Ratio Changes Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers and Licensing Rules with Commentary for Group Child Care Centers have been updated to reflect the 2025-27 Biennial Budget changes to group child ratios. These are now available on the department’s Child Care Licensing Rules and Manuals webpage. If you have questions, contact your local licensing agency. New Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance Webpage Check out the new DCF Early Childhood Training and Technical Assistance webpage! This new webpage will help you find the training and technical assistance (TTA) you need. DCF developed the webpage based on feedback from child care providers about the challenges of finding TTA. You’ll find DCF-funded opportunities, and you can search by organization name or by topic area, such as Business Trainings or Health and Safety. This page does not provide information on every available topic, but is meant to help you more easily find assistance that fits you program needs. Tuesday Talks – September Recording Now Available Did you miss the September Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the September talk featuring updates on Child Care Bridge Payments and Wisconsin Registry is now available in the September 16, 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. Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, October 21 at 1:30 p.m. and will feature Wisconsin Shares updates. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2025 Tuesday Talks. September Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period is Closed The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the September Child Care Bridge Payments are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by October 10, 2025, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. September payment amounts will also be posted to the How Payments are Determined webpage on October 10. The next update/application period is October 18-26, 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. Reminder: Wisconsin Shares Rate Increase Effective October 1, 2025 There was an increase in Wisconsin Shares maximum reimbursement rates for all age groups starting on October 1, 2025. Now, maximum rates will be at or above the price of 75% of child care slots. Read a press release from Governor Evers announcing this rate increase. Note: You can review the prices we have for you in the Provider Portal by clicking the Prices button on the Financial page or Facility Details page, or by selecting Prices under the Manage Facility heading in the Navigation Menu. If the prices you have reported to Wisconsin Shares are lower than the new rates, families will not see an increase in their subsidy amount. If and when you change your rates, remember to update your Written Payment Agreements with your families, so they are aware of any changes to their out-of-pocket expenses for child care. See the Wisconsin Shares Rate Increase page for more information. Reminder: Wisconsin Shares Subsidy Usage Policy Changes Effective October 1, 2025 Wisconsin Shares is moving to pay child care providers based on established subsidy rates to align with federal regulations and better account for the actual cost of care. Beginning October 1, 2025, parents are encouraged to use all subsidy funds on their MyWIChildCare EBT card to pay the child care provider, even if that amount is over the amount billed to the family. Parents do not need to make changes to their authorizations and child care providers do not need to do anything to prepare for this change, and should continue using their Written Payment Agreements to discuss billing and payment practices. For more information, please see the FAQs on our 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. Trainer and Technical Assistance Professionals Training (T-TAP ) There are numerous Trainer and Technical Assistance Professionals trainings coming October – December. TTAP Course Series – Foundation (Virtual Training) Registry Event ID #988097 TTAP Course Series – Trainer (Virtual Training) Registry Event ID #988098 TTAP Course Series – Technical Assistance Professionals (Virtual Training) Registry Event ID #988100 See the TTAP Flyer for complete training details and dates. CCFT Train-the-Trainer Events Open for Registration The Fall 2025 Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT) Train-the-Trainer session will 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 Care with 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 are requirements 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 Know webinar 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! Virtual: Creating Supportive Environments Dive into Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and uncover research-based suggestions and prompts that ensure all learners can access and participate in meaningful, challenging learning opportunities. Live session | October 14 | 6-7:30 p.m. | This event is only offered in Spanish. Register through the Wisconsin Registry. | Registration closes on October 11, 2025. Questions? Contact Maria Matrak at mmatrak@youngstarconnect.com. WFCCA Mini Conference – November 15 Join the Wisconsin Family Child Care Association (WFCCA) for two learning sessions. Session 1: Play is More Than Just Fun – It Is The Foundation That Supports All Future Learning. Session 2: Creating Outdoor Learning Experiences. Saturday, November 15 | Morning and/or afternoon session Learn more and register for the mini conference.
