October 31 Child Care Provider Updates

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October Child Care Counts Closes Soon – Apply Today!

Time is running out to apply/update your information for the October Child Care Counts program. The deadline is Sunday, November 3 at 11:59 p.m.

Update/Application Week Reminders

If you 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.

Child Care Counts Información en español.

November 1 Wisconsin Shares Handbook Update

As discussed at the October 16 CCPC meeting, the Wisconsin Shares Handbook will be updated tomorrow, November 1, with the following changes:

  • 24-15: Wisconsin Shares Authorization Assessment and Schedule Changes
  • 24-17: Wisconsin Shares Safe at Home Participant Authorization Card
  • 24-27: Virtual School Authorizations for Wisconsin Shares
  • 24-28: Wisconsin Shares Copayment Waivers
  • Removal of Appendix II COVID-19 Guidance (subsequent appendices renumbered)

There will not be a separate Operations Memo for this Handbook release because there are no updates other than incorporation of these published Operations Memo and removal of the COVID-19 information. You may need to clear the browsing history in your internet browser to see the updated Handbook.

For Wisconsin Shares policy questions outside of Milwaukee County contact your Bureau of Regional Operations (BRO), Child Care Coordinators at BROCCPolicyHelpDesk@wisconsin.gov.

For Program Integrity technical assistance, Child Care CARES/CWW and CSAW Processing Questions statewide, and policy questions in Milwaukee County, contact the Child Care Help Desk at: childcare@wisconsin.gov or 608-422-7200.

Grant Opportunity for Nonprofit Child Care Programs with PFAS and Manganese Contaminants

Nonprofit child care programs may be eligible for grant funding to address contaminants in public water systems. The 2021 federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) has designated funds to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources to provide financial assistance public water systems in small or disadvantaged communities in addressing PFAS and manganese contamination.

Nonprofit child care programs are eligible to apply for this grant if the licensee owns a nonprofit program that serves at least 25 of the same people for over six months of the year, uses a public water system that serves a community that has a population less than 10,000 people and has a PFAS or manganese contamination.  Read more about eligibility and grant details on the Wisconsin DNR website.

The grant application period began on October 1, 2024, and applications are due by June 30, 2025. If you have any questions regarding eligibility or application submission, please contact DNRECSDCGrants@wisconsin.gov or read the  Grant Program FAQs.

Tuesday Talks – October Recording Now Available

Did you miss the October Tuesday Talks with DECE? The link to the October talk on Wisconsin Shares and Child Care Foundational Training is now available in the October 15, 2024 accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage.

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, November 19 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss the survey you will see in your November Child Care Counts application as well as provide a wrap-up DCF projects funded through ARPA. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and learn about future topics.

Reminder: Child Care Foundational Training Updates

The revised Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFTs) are being offered statewide! These non-credit trainings provide you with the most updated information you need to:

  • Enter the child care field
  • Enhance or refresh your skill set (great for new hires at your program)
  • Complete your in-progress training to continue your journey to becoming a regulated child care provider

All participants receive consistent, high-quality trainings with real-time feedback and discussion with instructors and peers. Start your new career on the right foot and invest in your future! See the Wisconsin Registry Statewide Training Calendar for the list of agencies currently offering these updated courses.

Older Courses and Correspondence Course Reminders

If you are taking one of the old courses, including correspondence courses, you must complete them by December 31, 2024. These courses meet regulation requirements if completed by December 31. Availability of old courses depends on each training agency’s offerings.

If you have further questions about the CCFTs, please email DCFDECECCTraining@wisconsin.gov.

ECHC Health and Safety Practices Information Survey Reminder

Want to help make Wisconsin early childhood care centers a little healthier? November 4 is the deadline to complete the Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) program communications survey. ECHC is seeking input from early childhood education professionals in Wisconsin, (including teachers, administrators, and other childcare staff). This short, 5- to 10-minute survey covers how you prefer to receive information about health and safety practices in the early childcare setting. The survey is available in English or español. Please complete this survey even if you have not heard of ECHC before. Your input will help us develop tailored, free resources that you can access in the future.

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.