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Tuesday Talks with DECE

Welcome to Tuesday Talks with DECE, where we will be holding virtual events on the third Tuesday of every month. These talks will provide information on important happenings within DCF's Division of Early Care and Education (DECE). We also hope these will be an easy and accessible way for you to connect and engage with us. Each talk will begin with a presentation on a pre-determined topic, followed by time for you to ask questions. View the lineup below. Subscribe to our child care listserv to receive updates on upcoming talks.

We Want to Hear from You

To you have a topic you want to hear about next? Submit your feedback through our topics survey and we'll use it to help determine upcoming topics.

Join the Zoom Meeting

January-June 2023 Zoom Meeting Info

Each week you can use the below information to join the Zoom meeting. Or you can download this re-occurring event for the first half of 2023 to add to your calendar.

Join Zoom Meeting

Meeting ID: 884 6316 5140
Passcode: 468658
Phone: 1-312-626-6799 

Upcoming 2023 Talks

March 21, 2023

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Topic: Rule Revisions (DCF 250, 251, and 252) and Regulation 101

April 18, 2023

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Topic: TBA

May 16, 2023

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Topic: TBA

June 20, 2023

1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Topic: TBA

2022 Recordings

Expand the accordions below to watch the available recordings of Tuesday Talks with DECE.

June 21, 2022: Child Care Counts

Learn the top five tips things to know about Child Care Counts, which include:

  1. CCC Impact
  2. Spending Down Payments
  3. Tracking Spending
  4. How to get the most out of CCC
  5. Resources (We're here for you!)

Speakers: Erin Arango-Escalante, Terra Klein, and Dan Eckhardt

Resources

July 19, 2022: Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 2

Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 2 begins in August. In this webinar, you will learn more about:

  • Important Dates and Deadlines for Round 2
  • Expanded Allowable Expenses for Program B
  • Non-Standard Hours Add-on
  • Feedback Questions – How to Prepare
  • Next Audit Letters go out Late-July 

Speakers: Erin Arango-Escalante, Terra Klein, Rosalva Orozco, Disa Patel, and Hilary Shager (IRP)

Resources

August 16, 2022: Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 2 Continued

Listen in as we continue the discussion on Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 2. In this webinar, you will learn more about:

  • The basics of Child Care Counts
  • Application updates for Round 2
  • Feedback questions
  • Summer/fall changes
  • Child Care Counts Call Center reminders

Speakers: Terra Klein and Rosalva Orozco

Resources

September 20, 2022: Children with Special Needs

Join us as we speak with DHS on the importance of collaboration when caring for children with special needs. In this webinar we talk about:

  • Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot
  • Child Care Counts Add-on
  • Promoting inclusive spaces

Speakers: Erin Arango-Escalante, Elizabeth Mertens, and Lori Wittemann

Resources

October 18, 2022: YoungStar Transition

Join us as we speak with Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) and Shine Early Learning regarding the YoungStar administration transition. In this  webinar we talk about:

  • Background and timeline
  • What’s changing and what’s not
  • Current work by SFTA
  • Meet Shine Early Learning
  • What to expect

Speakers: Erin Arango-Escalante (DCF), Mark Andrews (DCF), Matricia Patterson (SFTA), Ken Taylor (Shine Early Learning), and Charlie Geier (Shine Early Learning)

Resources

November 15, 2022: Resources for Providers: WEESSN and Free Child Care Foundational Training

In this talk, we discuss WEESSN, the Educator Assistance Program (EAP), tax tools for child care providers, and DCF’s Free Child Care Foundational Trainings.

Speakers: Erin Arango-Escalante (DCF), Tina Feaster (DCF), Jenna Finley (DCF), Kelly Matthews (WEESSN), Paula Drew (WEESSN), Tarnesha Sanders (WEESSN), Gary Romano (Civitas)​

Resources

December 20, 2022: YoungStar Services Transition Continued

Hear from DCF, Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA), and Shine Early Learning as they continue to discuss the YoungStar services transition from SFTA to Shine Early Learning.

Speakers: Priya Bhatia (DCF), Mark Andrews (DCF), Matricia Patterson (SFTA), Ken Taylor (Shine Early Learning), and Erin Gernetzke (Shine Early Learning)

Resources

2023 Recordings

Expand the accordions below to watch the available recordings of 2023 Tuesday Talks with DECE.

January 17, 2023: Child Care Counts Program C: Promoting Inclusive Spaces

In this Tuesday Talks with DECE, you will learn more about Child Care Counts Program C - Promoting Inclusive Spaces, which will be part of the march Child Care Counts application. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to hear from IFF, a non-profit lender, real estate consultant with experience improving ECE facilities who want to make their space more inclusive. IFF will share ideas and best practices for making ECE facilities more inclusive.

Note: IFF is not involved with administration of Child Care Counts Program C. The IFF portion of the presentation is to share their ideas, expertise, and suggestions in creating inclusive spaces. Please continue contact the Child Care Counts Call Center with all questions related to Child Care Counts and Program C.

Speakers: Priya Bhatia (DCF), Chelsey Thill (DCF), Lisa Williams (IFF), and Rick Raleigh (IFF)

Resources

 

February 21, 2023: Funding Opportunities: Dream Up! and Child Care Counts Program C

In this Tuesday Talks with DECE, you will learn more about Child Care Counts Program C - Promoting Inclusive Spaces, which will be part of the March Child Care Counts application. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to hear about the Project Growth Dream Up! grant program, which opened applications for its third round of funding on February 20.

Speakers: Christian Albouras (DCF), Chelsey Thill (DCF), and Andrea Cammilleri (DCF)

Resources