2023 Child Care Provider Updates Listserv Archive

Join us for Tuesday Talks, today at 1:30 p.m. December Child Care Counts application period is closed. Reminder: Read about the upcoming Child Care Counts Round 4 in early 2024. Come work with us! DCF is hiring a Child Care Subsidy Lead in Milwaukee. Register for the rescheduled ECHC air quality webinar on December 21. Reminder: Learn about the elevated lead levels and Salmonella outbreaks.

December Child Care Counts application issues fixed. Complete your application this week! | Read about the upcoming Child Care Counts Round 4 in early 2024. | View the new Spanish webpage for Accessing the Child Care Provider Portal. | Encourage families to use the Child Care Parent Portal. | Reminder: Report any fees you charge in your Provider Portal or to your local agency. | Learn about the elevated lead levels and Salmonella outbreaks.

Report any fees you charge in your Provider Portal or to your local agency.  Get ready for the December Child Care Counts Application/Update Week. Read the updated Licensing Rules with Commentary rule books. Update your Child Care Provider Portal staff information. View the November Tuesday Talks recording. Come work with us! DCF is hiring a Child Care Subsidy Specialist at MECA. Register for the ECHC Air Quality webinar on December 7. Register for the Parents Place Ages & Stages webinar on December 14.

See the new resources for Fall 2023 Wisconsin Shares Subsidy Changes and Registration Fees. Explore upcoming train-the-trainer Child Care Foundational Training events in 2024. Get ready for the December Child Care Counts Application/Update Week.

Tuesday Talks with DECE is at 1:30 p.m. today! YoungStar Quality Adjustments start again in January. View the free Wisconsin Shares Program Integrity Training.  November Child Care Counts application period is closed. DCF is hiring a Senior Auditor in the Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration. Watch the Lead 101 ECHC webinar recording to learn about lead implications in child care facilities. 

Finalize your Child Care Counts November applications this week! Reminder: Familiarize yourself with the changes to COVID-19 Reporting Requirements. Mark your calendar – Foundational Correspondence Trainings are ending July 31, 2024.  Find out more about the upcoming changes to the Registry Profile Requirements. Come work with us! The Bureau of Early Care and Education is hiring a Section Manager position in the western region. 

As a result of the additional $170 million in relief funding from Governor Tony Evers,  DCF has reopened initial applications for providers who are not currently enrolled in the Child Care Counts Payment Program. 

Get ready for Child Care Counts November Update Week – Nov. 11-19. Read the recently published Wisconsin Shares Provider Closure Policy. Familiarize yourself with the changes to COVID-19 Reporting Requirements. The October Tuesday Talks with DECE is now available. Explore the new Wisconsin Wayfinder: Children’s Resource Network from DHS. Get your Wisconsin Registry general membership for free! Learn about new ways to become eligible for the WECA REWARD Wisconsin Stipend Program. 

Happy Halloween! Review the Halloween safety tips from DHS. Reminder: October Child Care Counts update period is closed. The next update period is November 11-19.  Come work with us! DCF is hiring for an Operations Section Manager position in BECR.

October Child Care Counts update period is closed. Reminder: Read about how Gov. Evers directs $170 million in emergency funding to stabilize child care statewide. Learn about the implications of lead in child care facilities. Celebrate school-age programs with Lights on Afterschool on October 26. Learn about the mentor and consultant position openings at Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health. 

Read about how Gov. Evers directs $170 million in emergency funding to stabilize child care statewide.  Read about the Senate Committee Hearing on Child Care Bills on October 18. Join us today for Tuesday Talks with DECE at 1:30 p.m. Update your October Child Care Counts applications now! Update period is open until Sunday, October 22. Mark your calendar – Foundational Correspondence Trainings are ending July 31, 2024. Read about Child Care Foundational Training train-the-trainer events coming up in spring 2024.

Read the updated additional one-time payment information for Child Care Counts. The September Child Care Counts update period is closed. Submit your questions for the October Tuesday Talks about Wisconsin Shares. Listen to the September Tuesday Talks with DECE recording. Reminder: Wisconsin Shares policy changed on October 1. View the parent/provider flyers available for download. Reminder: Read about the new Voluntary Repayment Agreement (VPA) form. Reminder: Consider being part of the new Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMHC) Consultation model in Wisconsin. Reminder: Celebrate school-age programs with Lights On Afterschool on October 26.

DCF has identified approximately $670,000 in available unused funding from the Child Care Counts (CCC) Stabilization Payment Program. In order to maximize CCC funding to providers, DCF is making a one-time payment tonight to currently eligible providers who received funding (or had funding reserved) for the August payment round.

Reminder: Read about the Wisconsin Shares policy changes coming October 1. Reminder: Register for an upcoming Wisconsin Shares Policy Change Information Session.  The September Child Care Counts update period closes October 1. Read about the new Voluntary Repayment Agreement (VPA) form.  Register for the October 5 free ECHC webinar on infant mental health. Consider being part of the new Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMHC) Consultation model in Wisconsin. Check out the parent and caregiver training resources from UW Extension.  Register for the Introduction to the School-Age Profession course, sponsored by the Wisconsin Afterschool Network.

Last month, Governor Evers called the State Legislature into a special session to address the state’s chronic workforce challenges, including access to quality, affordable child care. Yesterday, the Legislature convened and opened the special session. While no action was taken, the session remains open – meaning the chance to ensure Wisconsin’s early care and education industry remains stable is still on the table.

Join us for Tuesday Talks with DECE today at 1:30 p.m. The next Child Care Counts update period begins September 23 – October 1. Check out the new Resources for Families and Communities on the DCF website! Reminder: Register for an upcoming Wisconsin Shares Policy Change Information Session. Celebrate school-age programs with Lights On Afterschool on October 26. DCF is hiring! See what positions are available at DCF. 

Register for an upcoming Wisconsin Shares Policy Change Information Session. The next Child Care Counts update period is September 23 – October 1. Register for upcoming YoungStar Connect training opportunities this fall. 

Update your Written Payment Agreements with to include all fees charged to parents utilizing Wisconsin Shares. The next Child Care Counts update period is September 23 – October 1. Review the steps for maintaining water quality in centers following a closure. Register for the September 14 ECHC webinar. Register for the October 10 Wisconsin Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Virtual Conference. Check out the new school-age resources on the Wisconsin Afterschool Network website. 

Read about the ECHC expansion starting in September.  Register for in-person CACFP trainings in September.  Listen to the August recording of Tuesday Talks. Come work with us! Apply for Child Care Subsidy Specialist positions for the MECA office. Sign up for the WEESSN EAP Series starting in September.  Reminder: Submit your radon test results by September 1.  Reminder: Complete and return your Business Information Form (BIF) today!

Attend an upcoming Wisconsin Shares Full-time/Part-time Information Session. | Check out the new Wisconsin Shares Resources for providers – Accepting to Maintaining Wisconsin Shares Eligibility Overview. | Available now: Wisconsin Shares Program Integrity Training for Providers. | The Child Care Counts August application period is closed. | Register for the WI-AIMH Virtual Conference in October.

August is your final opportunity to apply for Child Care Counts if you wish to continue to participate in the remainder of Round 3. August Update/Application Week closes Sunday, August 20. Attend the MECA August 22 information session about upcoming Wisconsin Shares policy changes. See the new Spanish version of the Wisconsin Early Childhood Inclusion Tool Kit. Check out the new school-age resources on the Wisconsin Afterschool Network website! Sign up for the new, PBS KIDS self-paced learning courses for providers. 

Gov. Evers calls legislature into special session to address state’s chronic workforce and child care challenges. Learn about YoungStar Quality Adjustments returning in 2024. Child Care Counts August Update/Application Week starts Saturday, August 12. Reminder: Complete and return your Business Information Form (BIF) today! Reminder: DECE is hiring an office manager position in Rhinelander.

Ensure your Child Care Provider Portal information is accurate and up to date! Check out the new Spanish resources on My YoungStar Connect. Listen to the July Tuesday Talks with DECE recording. Child Care Counts July applications are closed. Come work with us! DECE is hiring an office manager position in Rhinelander.

Read the Registration Fee Clarification information. Child Care Counts July applications are due July 30. Submit your radon test results by September 1. Read about air quality considerations for child care programs. Complete and return your Business Information Form (BIF) today! Register for the August 10 ECHC webinar. Come work with us! DECE is hiring a program supervisor position. Reminder: Take the Wisconsin Community Survey for Healthy Minds, Healthy Children.

Join Tuesday Talks with DECE at 1:30 p.m. today! Child Care Counts July Application starts July 22. Take the Wisconsin Community Survey for Healthy Minds, Healthy Children. Reminder: Add your provider registration fees to the Provider Portal.  Reminder: Child Care Licensing Rule Books are available for sale. 

The Child Care Provider Portal is now available in Spanish! Add your provider registration fees to the Provider Portal. Mark your calendar for the July 18 Tuesday Talks with DECE. Child Care Licensing Rule Books are available for sale.  Child Care Counts June payments will be available by July 14. Come work with us! DCF is hiring multiple positions.

View the DCF press release about the Dream Up! Cohort 3 Awardees. Learn how to connect to YoungStar Connect! Read about the ECHC expansion happening in July. Reminder: Child Care Counts June application period is closed. Come work with us! DCF is hiring multiple positions.

Yesterday the Governor’s Office announced that they submitted a formal request to the Joint Committee on Finance to use remaining federal child care COVID relief funds to continue the Child Care Counts Program into State Fiscal Year 2024 (which runs from July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024). We understand that there are a number of questions regarding this announcement and would like to offer some clarity.

Child Care Counts June application period is closed. View the Partner Up! Program Evaluation. Register for the July 6 ECHC webinar. Come work with us! DECE is hiring multiple positions. 

Read the latest Child Care Counts updates. Check out the new YoungStar Connect Help Desk – now live! Send in your Child Care Immunization Assessment today! Come work with us! DECE is hiring multiple positions. 

Get ready for the June Child Care Counts Application/Update Week: June 17-25. Read about the upcoming Wisconsin Shares policy changes. Learn more about the air quality alerts due to wildfire smoke. Read about the breastfeeding-friendly child care resources available from the Department of Health Services (DHS) and the Wisconsin Breastfeeding Coalition. Come work with us! DECE is hiring multiple positions.

The May Child Care Counts late applications are being accepted until June 9. Read about the change to the Voluntary Payment Agreement (VPA) submission process. Stay in compliance by updating staff Wisconsin Registry profiles.  Access your new Child Care Foundational Training postcard certificates. Reminder: Complete your Child Care Immunization Assessments by June 16. Reminder: DECE is hiring multiple positions. 

The May Child Care Counts applications are due Sunday, June 4. Complete your Child Care Immunization Assessments by June 16. Review the May Tuesday Talks recording if you missed the live session. Come work with us! DECE is hiring multiple positions. 

Apply now through June 4, for Round 3 of Child Care Counts. Register for the May 25 YoungStar Transition Listening Session. Check out the new YoungStar Connect and meet your team of YoungStar coaches! Complete your Child Care Immunization Assessments by June 16. 

Get ready for Round 3 of Child Care Counts Application Week: May 20 – June 4. Remind providers that summer program and day camp staff need background checks before they may begin working. Register for the May 25 YoungStar Transition Listening Session. Register for the June 8 ECHC Health Policy Template workshop.

Partner Up! applications are due at 5 p.m. on May 12. Save the date – the next Tuesday Talks with DECE is May 16 at 1:30 p.m. Last chance to complete Free Foundational Child Care training courses. Free courses must be completed by May 31. The April Child Care Counts update/application period is closed. Get ready for Round 3 later this month.

Remember that summer program and day camp staff need background checks before they may begin working. The April Child Care Counts update/application period is closed. DCF is hiring several positions: Contracts Specialist-Advanced and Policy Advisor, and a Licensing/Certification Specialist. 

The April Child Care Counts update/application period is this week, April 24-28. Check your spending deadlines! Register for the upcoming virtual YoungStar Transition Update sessions on April 27 and May 2. View last week’s Tuesday Talks recording. View and download the new Wisconsin Shares infographics highlighting the eligibility and application process. DCF is hiring several positions: Training Officer Senior, Contracts Specialist-Advanced and Policy Advisor. Register for the May 4 ECHC webinar: Considerations when Caring for Children with Special Health Care Needs.

This is a special edition message with important information on Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 3.

The April Child Care Counts application period begins next week, April 24-28. Check your spending deadlines. Explore the resources available to help businesses and providers apply for Partner Up! funding. Review the steps for maintaining water quality in centers following a closure. Encourage providers to watch the free online program integrity training on the DCF website. 

UW-Madison Releases Child Care Counts Study Results. View the English or Spanish training for adding a business website to the Child Care Finder. Partner Up! cohort 3 applications open tomorrow! Save the date – April 18 Tuesday Talks with DECE – Child Care Counts Round 3. The April Child Care Counts application period begins April 24-28. Check your spending deadlines.  Reminder: You can still sign up for free early care education career counseling at WECA!

Read about Week of the Young Child! A YoungStar Listening Session is taking place this week in Rhinelander. Download revised versions of commentary manuals for licensed family child care, group child care, and day camps from the DCF website. Updated: Review information about the MyWIChildCare EBT card and how providers can accept Wisconsin Shares. Providers must regularly update your Provider Portal information. The March Child Care Counts application period is closed. Check your Child Care Counts spending deadlines. Watch the March Tuesday Talks with DECE recording, now available on the DCF website. Sign up for free early care education career counseling at WECA! Register for the Whole Child, Whole Family, Whole Community Wisconsin Afterschool Network virtual series. 

Check it out: Providers can now add their business website to the Child Care Finder via the Child Care Provider Portal.  YoungStar Connect offices are opening April 3!  Reminder: YoungStar Listening Sessions are taking place this week in Milwaukee. Read about the Wisconsin Shares media campaign happening across the state and view the media tool kit.  Review information about the MyWIChildCare EBT card and how providers can accept Wisconsin Shares.  The March Child Care Counts application period is closed. Reminder: DHS Radon Training is available for providers. Sign up for the April 5 virtual webinar: Helping Children Navigate Anxious Feelings.

Today is Tuesday Talks with DECE at 1:30 p.m. Learn about the Child Care Licensing Rule Revisions and Regulation 101.  Register for the virtual DHS radon training this week for licensed family and group child care providers. This week is the March Child Care Counts Application/Update Week – March 20-24. Remember to apply for Program C – this month only.  Mark your calendar with the new dates and corrected registration links for upcoming YoungStar Listening Sessions in Milwaukee.  Learn more about the new WEESSN Educator Assistance Program.  Listen to the upcoming ECHC April 6 podcast about caring for children with asthma. 

JCRAR votes to suspend changes to Wisconsin Administrative Code regarding new immunization requirements for chickenpox. | Get ready for the next Child Care Counts Application/Update Week – March 20-24. | Don't miss out - Dream Up! applications are due by March 17! | Mark your calendar with the new dates for upcoming YoungStar Listening Sessions in Milwaukee. | Save the date for the March 21 Tuesday Talks with DECE and learn about the Child Care Licensing Rule Revisions. | Watch for printed Child Care Licensing Rule Books to be available for purchase soon. | Learn how the Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) Program supports Wisconsin’s early care and education providers and programs.

The late February Child Care Counts applications are due March 10. The next application/update week is March 20-24. Save the date for the upcoming YoungStar Listening Session on March 9 in Eau Claire. Catch up on February Tuesday Talks with DECE by listening to the February recording. Take a look at the resources available to help draft Dream Up! applications. Listen to the new ECE podcast, on March 8, about health and child care. Learn about developmentally appropriate activities to help build skills for real life scenarios at the Parents Place virtual webinar on March 20. 

February Child Care Counts late applications are being accepted due to power outages and other issues.

The February Child Care Counts application period is closed. The next application/update week is March 20-24. Read about the revised child care licensing rules that go into effect on March 1. Starting in March, licensed family and group child care programs will be required to regularly test for radon in their centers. Save the date for the upcoming YoungStar Listening Session on March 2 in Appleton. Register for the Wisconsin Afterschool Network Virtual Summer Staff series. Register for the PEC 2023 virtual conference. Registration closes March 3. Providers can sign up for free WEESSN coaching to learn up to recoup federal tax credits. Reminder: Read the Wisconsin Shares policy reminder about Employee Discounts. Come work with us! DCF is hiring multiple positions. 

Join us today for Tuesday Talks with DECE at 1:30 p.m. This week is February Child Care Counts Application/Update Week. Read about Child Care Counts Stabilization Payment Program Round 3, Payment Program C – Promoting Inclusive Spaces, and the enhanced Support Center.  Join us at upcoming YoungStar Listening Session on February 23 in Madison. Apply for the latest round of Dream Up! grant. Application period now open! Read the Wisconsin Shares policy reminder about Employee Discounts. Join the ECHC March 2 virtual webinar about Straight Talk About Vaccines. Come work with us! DCF is hiring multiple positions. Reminder: Register for the Managing Adult Anger virtual classes offered by The Parents Place. 

Due to inclement weather, tonight’s Milwaukee Listening Session will be postponed. Your feedback on YoungStar is critically important, and the Shine Early Learning team is working to finalize a new tentative date of April 30 for the Milwaukee Listening Session, which will remain at the same venue.

Join us at upcoming YoungStar Listening Sessions throughout the state. Child Care Counts February application period starts next week: February 20-24. Mark your calendar for the February 21 Tuesday Talks with DECE. Read about the revised child care licensing rules that go into effect on March 1. Join us for a webinar on February 20 to learn more about the upcoming Dream Up! Cohort 3 application period. Register for the Managing Adult Anger virtual classes offered by The Parents Place. Save the date – March 4 is the 2023 Spring Early Childhood Conference in Rhinelander. Learn how to recruit and retain day camp staff with a foundation of wellness by attending the Wisconsin Afterschool Network series in March. CCR&Rs are available to help providers and parents who have children with challenging behaviors. DCF is hiring multiple positions in the Division of Early Care and Education.

Watch for your 1099 forms! FIS is sending 1099 forms to child care providers who receive Wisconsin Shares and Child Care Counts funding. Read the DHS updates for immunization reporting for child care centers. Child Care Counts February application period is February 20-24. Register to attend the February 15 Child Care Symposium in Wisconsin Dells. It’s chili season! Register for the Wisconsin Chili Lunch on February 23. Providers can sign up for the 2023 WFCCA Conference May 4-6. Come work with us! DCF is hiring a Licensing/Certification Specialist in the Northern Region. 

Priya Bhatia named new Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) Administrator. Checked your eligibility status in CCPP lately? Remember - FBI fingerprints are due every five years. Read the reminders on reporting COVID-19 requirements. PBS KIDS continues to offer free, online learning courses through the Registry. Has your center been closed recently? Review the steps for maintaining water quality in centers following a closure. Reminder: January Child Care Counts application period is closed. Reminder: Register for the February 2 ECHC webinar to learn how to decide when children need immediate health care attention.

Child Care Counts Application Week is closed. Check out the new Wisconsin Early Childhood Inclusion Tool Kit which provides information and resources for ECE providers. There's a free webinar and training opportunity on January 26 for family child care providers regarding child illnesses. The free Early Childhood Health Consultation program expands into new services areas.

Join us TODAY for Tuesday Talks with DECE at 1:30 p.m. to learn about Child Care Counts Program C – Promoting Inclusive Spaces. This week is the January CCC Update/Application Week – January 16-23. Starting in March, licensed family and group child care programs will be required to regularly test for radon in their centers. Register for the February 2 ECHC webinar to learn how to decide when children need immediate health care attention. DCF is hiring a Licensing/Certification Specialist in the southeastern region. Today is the deadline to apply. 

Update your Provider Portal information regularly to stay in compliance! Preview the Dream Up! Cohort 3 application questions. Reminder: Effective January 17, the DECE listserv messaging is changing to once a week. Reminder: All December Child Care Counts applications are closed and are being reviewed. Reminder: Register for the Wisconsin Afterschool Network's virtual series about Cultivating Staff with a Healthy Organizational Culture on January 18. 

All December Child Care Counts applications are closed and are being reviewed. Join us on January 17 for Tuesday Talks with DECE when we’ll discuss Child Care Counts Program C – Promoting Inclusive Spaces. The Wisconsin Afterschool Network (WAN) is hosting a virtual series about Cultivating Staff with a Healthy Organizational Culture on January 18. Reminder: Join DECE at the January 12 evening webinar to hear the latest about the YoungStar services transition. Reminder: Register for the Behavioral Health Series: Naming and Taming Emotions webinar on January 27.

Late December Child Care Counts applications are due today – January 6. Join DECE at the January 12 evening webinar to hear the latest about the YoungStar services transition. Child care providers are encouraged to watch the free online program integrity training on the DCF website. School-age professional development course available for Youth Work Professionals February 3-24. 

The deadline for December Child Care Counts has been extended until January 6. On-demand school-age professional development training is available through UW-Milwaukee for providers and those interested in becoming school-age group leaders (teachers).