Wisconsin Child Care Advisory and Recommendation Exchange (WI-CARE)

child care teacher reads to childrenThe Wisconsin Child Care Advisory and Recommendation Exchange (WI-CARE) provides an opportunity to give the Department of Children and Families (DCF) feedback on child care policy development and technical systems used by providers. The group consists of regulated child care providers from many communities across Wisconsin. WI-CARE acts as an important resource in advising DCF’s Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) and its partners. WI-CARE members share perspectives based on “lived experience.” In this case, lived experience means that the child care providers have interacted with DECE as a provider or a participant in its programs.

Purpose and Responsibilities 

WI-CARE members have an important role in shaping DECE policy. This helps DECE take provider-focused input into consideration.

Some WI-CARE topics and feedback include: 

  • Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program
  • YoungStar child care quality rating and improvement system
  • Child care regulation
  • Technical systems used by providers, such as the Provider Portal

WI-CARE members do not give input on other DCF operational issues such as hiring, vendor selection, or other topics outside of this scope. WI-CARE is an advisory group only. DCF keeps the authority to make final policy decisions after considering all input from a variety of stakeholders. 

Membership 

WI-CARE is made up of 25 members, selected through an application process. These members:

  • Are current child care providers
  • Have current or prior experience directly interacting with DCF
  • Are representative of the program’s participants in as many demographic areas as possible

WI-CARE continually strives for diverse and equitable representation among its members. This includes by provider type, YoungStar rating, geographic location, race, ethnicity, language, and Head Start affiliation. 

The first cohort of WI-CARE members was announced in August 2024. We expect to open applications for new members in the summer of 2025. If you are interested in becoming a member, please email DCFMBDECEWiCare@wisconsin.gov and your name will be added to a wait list.

Meeting Information

2024 WI-CARE Meeting Materials

WI-CARE Member Roster 2024-25 

Contact Us

Questions? Email WI-CARE staff at DCFMBDECEWiCare@wisconsin.gov.