July 25 Child Care Provider Updates

Registration Fee Clarification

The 7/11/23 Child Care Provider Updates Listserv announced that the department would begin paying limited registration fees this fall. Only parents who have Wisconsin Shares authorizations to the provider are eligible to receive funds to pay provider registration fees. This does not apply to parents who are not receiving Wisconsin Shares. See the Wisconsin Shares Full-time/Part-time webpage for details.

Child Care Counts July Application Ends July 30

July update/application period is this week: July 22-30, 2023. Update your child attendance and staff records so you don’t miss out on any funding.

Participation Deadline Reminder

Providers must be approved for funding during one of the first four months to be eligible for future payments. The program’s funding will not allow for providers to join the program after the August 2023 payment round.   

If you wish to participate in Child Care Counts Stabilization Round 3, you must submit an application and be approved for payment during at least one of the May, June, July, or August 2023 payment rounds. 

Update/Application Week Reminders

  • You must review, update, and resubmit your application every month. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks.
  • Be sure to carefully review the child and staff lists for attendance and payroll status during the Count Week and hit “submit” once you have completed your review/update.
  • If you do not wish to receive payments, you must withdraw your application during Update Week.
  • Watch the How to Apply Video or Application Guide to view step-by-step instructions on how to submit a new
  • Review the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week video to learn how to make application modifications during Update Week.

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.

Submit Your Radon Test Results by September 1, 2023

Beginning March 2023, licensed family and group child care programs were required to regularly test for radon in their centers. Providers must submit radon test results to their assigned licensing specialists by September 1, 2023. Submit your radon test results directly to your licensing specialist via email or send a hard copy to the regional office via USPS.

  • In centers licensed prior to March 1, 2023, a test for radon gas levels shall be conducted no later than six months after the effective date of March 1, 2023. Individuals who began the pre-licensing process prior to March 1, 2023, are included in this requirement.
  • In centers licensed on or after March 1, 2023, a test for radon gas levels shall be conducted within six months prior to providing care for children. The licensee must submit a copy of the radon test results the department within five days after receipt.

Do you need assistance fixing a radon problem? There are over 100 certified professionals throughout Wisconsin who are here to help with mitigation! See the Department of Health Services (DHS) Radon Measurement and Mitigation Contractors website to find a contractor in your area today!

Other Radon Resources

Air Quality Considerations for Child Care Programs

DCF 251.07(1)(e)4. states if a center is in operation for more than 3 hours per day, the program shall provide daily outdoor activities, except during inclement weather or when not advisable for health reasons.

Parts of Wisconsin continue to experience decrease in air quality from the Canadian wildfire smoke. Referring to the interactive map at airquality.wi.gov is a resource for providers to use to make healthy decisions for children regarding going (or not going outdoors) when not advisable due to air quality concerns.

Complete Your Business Information Form (BIF)

Your local CCR&R has sent out the annual BIF. This electronic version of the BIF is partially prefilled with your program’s details for ease of updating. Information submitted electronically is updated in the CCR&R referral database. Some information, such as open vacancies, enrollments, and waitlists, are shared with DCF and will be displayed on Child Care Finder. DCF and CCR&Rs use this to better serve the children, families, and child care providers in Wisconsin. Please complete and return the BIF today! If you did not receive the email, please check your junk folder. Contact your local CCR&R for assistance with the BIF.

August 10 ECHC Webinar: Supporting Children with Autism within Early Childhood

Children with autism may have unique strengths and needs in early childhood programs. How can you support autistic children as a care provider? What strategies and resources are available?

In this 60-minute webinar, Dr. Katie Kastner, developmental-behavioral pediatrician, will explore an overview of autism spectrum disorder and discuss strategies for supporting children with autism within early childhood care and education programs. Additional time will be available for live question and answer, including with Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) Director.

Thank you for those who submitted topics of interest on the ECHC post-webinar surveys. Your responses led to new webinars, like this one. Join the ECHC, a Registry Training Sponsored Organization, in exploring best health and safety practices for early childhood care and education, while having the opportunity of free continuing education credits for early childhood providers.

Webinar: August 10 – 1-2 p.m.

Registration link
See August flyer for more details. After registering, a confirmation email will follow-up with details on joining the webinar. Questions? Reach out to the ECHC team at echc@sohe.wisc.edu

ECHC Resources

DECE is Hiring

DCF/Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is hiring.

  • The Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration is recruiting to fill a DCF Program Supervisor This position will manage and direct staff responsible for child care provider audits, investigations, and quality assurance measures for the administration of the Wisconsin Shares and YoungStar programs. The deadline to apply for this position is July 31.

The Department of Children and Families offers excellent benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment, with many positions having the ability to work primarily remote. To learn more, view all open DCF positions, and to apply, visit Wisc.Jobs.

Reminder: Wisconsin Community Survey for Healthy Minds, Healthy Children

Indigo Cultural Center is a non-profit research firm and is partnering with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, and the Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health. They are conducting a survey to find ways to support more services for children, families, and communities. They want to learn more about your thoughts and experiences regarding Wisconsin and the services that are available to your community. This survey will inform the initiative Healthy Minds, Healthy Children.

All individuals living in Wisconsin are invited to take this survey. Each participant will receive a $20 gift card for their completed survey. Gift cards may not be given to State of Wisconsin staff, LTEs or DCF contractors.

The password for the survey is Wisconsin with a capital W. The survey will take 20-40 minutes to complete. This survey link will close once a region has reached 100 completed responses. Survey answers and records are confidential. The following regional surveys are still open to complete:

  • Northern
  • Northeastern
  • Southern
  • Tribal community

Select the link to your language preference to take the survey.

Email Jayley Janssen at Indigo Cultural Center for more information.