April 11 Child Care Provider Updates

UW-Madison Releases Child Care Counts Study Results

DCF has partnered with the UW-Madison Institute for Research on Poverty (IRP) to study the Child Care Counts (CCC) program. Using a questionnaire that DCF included in the August 2022 CCC application, providers were asked how they spent CCC funds that they received during the previous nine months. In addition, DCF asked several open-ended questions about the impact of CCC on their child care program. IRP recently completed its study and issued a Final Report, which highlights that:

  • Child Care Counts has helped providers to keep their doors open. 83% of child care providers reported spending Program A funds on basic operating expenses such as rent and utilities.
  • Providers invested in program quality. 76% of child care providers reported spending Program A funds on materials and supplies for enhancing program environment and curriculum.
  • Despite their own razor-thin margins, 48% of child care providers reported using Program A funds to offer financial assistance to families.
  • Providers passed CCC funds to their employees to recruit and retain their workforce in a tight labor market. On average, child care providers reported spending 74% of Program B funds on staff bonuses, stipends, or increased wages.

In addition to detailed quantitative data, the study report offers nearly 40 pages of quotes from providers describing the impact of CCC on their programs. DCF would like to thank all of the child care providers across Wisconsin that took the time to answer this questionnaire! We appreciate your input and time.

Updated: New Provider Feature Added to the Child Care Finder – Spanish Now Available

Child care providers now have the option to add their business website to their child care listing in the Child Care Finder. Electing to add a website to the Child Care Finder can help to increase visibility and promotion for your child care program. All program webpages will be validated by DCF staff before being accessible within the Child Care Finder. DCF encourages providers to add their business website to the Child Care Finder.

Additional Resources

If you have any questions related to the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP), please see the CCPP User Guide.

Partner Up! Cohort 3 Applications Open Tomorrow

The Partner Up! grant program, a part of Project Growth, will be open for another round of applications April 12-May 12, 2023. This program provides funding to support partnerships between businesses who purchase slots at existing regulated child care providers. The funding from this program can be used to increase staff compensation, reserve child care slots for local business employees, improve the quality of a child care program, and more.

This round of applications will once again be administered by our partner Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) and Wisconsin’s nine Child Care Resource & Referral agencies (CCR&Rs). There were two previous cohorts of Partner Up! awardees. This application round will be for our third cohort. There are a few differences between this round and the previous one. Cohort 3 changes include:

  • Employer pay portion – Newly contracting businesses will need to contribute at least 25% of the true cost of care, and businesses looking to extend their contracts will need to contribute at least 35%. However, businesses may not decrease their contribution amount from their original contract.
  • Parent pay portion – Parents will need to contribute up to 10% of the true cost of care if they are part of a newly contracting business.

Who should apply?

  • Businesses with two or more employees
  • Regulated child care providers who want to help sponsor the cost of their employees’ child care

Note: Governmental entities are not eligible for Partner Up! grants.

Partner Up! Kick-Off Webinar

Wednesday, April 12 | 12-1 p.m.
Learn more on the Partner Up! webpage.
The competitive applications period will run April 12-May 12, 2023, at 5 p.m. CST.

We encourage interested parties to review all information on the Partner Up! webpage and start determining the need for child care among your employees. You can also preview the application questions for newly contracting applicants and renewing applicants now. The application preview documents are for informational purposes only, to help you prepare for when the application is posted on April 12.  We will share more information in the coming weeks. Subscribe to receive Project Growth emails for more updates.

The Next Tuesday Talks with DECE is April 18: Child Care Counts Round 3 

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is April 18 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Child Care Counts Round 3. Registration is not required for these events. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and learn about future topics.

Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website.

Child Care Counts April Application Period Begins April 24-28

The next update/application period April 24-28, 2023. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks. April Count Week is April 9-22. Keep your records organized so you are ready for update/application week later this month.  You must review and update your application every month.

Applications for the March Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by April 14, 2023, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

Spending Deadline Reminder

All Stabilization Payment Program funds must be spent within 120 days from the date of the payment letter. See the Use of Funds section of the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. November 2022 funds must be spent by April 15, 2023.

If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650.

Child Care Counts Información en español.

Reminder: WECA Career Development Counseling Is Available

WECA Career Development Counseling is available! This free one-on-one service serves English and Spanish speakers and is dedicated to helping early childhood educators determine their career paths and journey in early care and education. The process begins by filling out a questionnaire designed to get to know you and emailing it to WECA’s Career Development staff. You then receive a follow-up that includes a conversation with one of three knowledgeable and helpful counselors. For more details, visit WECA’s website. Questions? Contact WECA at careerdevelopment@wisconsinearlychildhood.org.