January 6 Child Care Provider Updates Late December Child Care Counts Applications Due Today Due to power outages and other issues that prevented providers from submitting their applications for the December round of the Child Care Counts, DCF is allowing an opportunity for late application submission. If you intended to complete your application, but were unable to submit prior to the deadline, please contact the Child Care Counts Call Center at DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or 608-535-3650 before 4:30 p.m. on January 6, 2023. The Call Center will work with providers to submit applications. You must contact the Call Center no later than 4:30 p.m. on January 6 for assistance. Late-submitted applications will be reviewed on a delayed schedule, and approved applications will receive payment on February 8, 2023. Spending Deadline Reminder All Stabilization Payment Program Funds must be spent within 120 days of the payment letter date. The spending deadline for August 2022 funds is January 14, 2023. View this step-by-step Spending Tool training video to learn tips and tricks for organizing and tracking how you spend your Child Care Counts You may download the Spending Tool Excel Spreadsheet to help you keep track of how you spend your Child Care Counts funds. Child Care Counts Información en español. New Webinar: YoungStar Services Transition Update Did you miss our latest Tuesday Talks with DECE on the YoungStar services transition? Join DCF Thursday, January 12 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. for another chance to hear updates first-hand from DCF, Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA), and Shine Early Learning. No pre-registration required. Download and add this event to your calendar. Or see the Zoom information below to join the webinar at the time of the event. This webinar will have Spanish translation services available. You must join to the meeting through the link above (not by calling in by phone) in order to: Hear Spanish interpretation View the PowerPoint Enter questions in the chat Tip – you can download the Zoom app on your smartphone. This will allow all features to be available, including Spanish interpretation, viewing the PPT, and adding questions in the chat. For more information, visit the YoungStar Administration webpage. Wisconsin Shares Program Integrity Training for Providers A free training video about Wisconsin Shares program integrity for Wisconsin child care providers is available! As a child care provider, in order to be eligible to receive Wisconsin Shares, you must be certified or licensed, and participate in the YoungStar quality rating system. There are various rules in place to ensure that child care subsidy is available for those who need it and that the funds are being spent and paid out appropriately. Provider program integrity ensures that those rules are followed, and it includes prevention, monitoring, and identification of improper payments and fraud of the Wisconsin Shares program. Watch the Wisconsin Shares program integrity training video or download the Provider Program Integrity Training booklet (DCF-P-5484). For questions about Wisconsin Shares policies, please contact your local agency. School-Age Professional Development Course February 3-24 Wisconsin Afterschool Network is offering a course in Positive Youth Development on February 3-24 through the UW-Stevens Point. This course is designed to help you help your kids have a better understanding of themselves, their thoughts, and emotions. The course also provides a structure for helping your staff support kids to learn self-management skills, understand the perspective of others and learn to develop empathy. These skills can be taught to individuals, or in small or large groups, and are designed to be embedded in the program you offer on a daily basis. Learn more and register today.
