August 29 Child Care Provider Updates ECHC Expansion Starting in September The Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) is a free program to support best health and safety practices within early childhood care settings. It is in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, housed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology, and funded through the Preschool Development Grant. Currently, the ECHC program offers ongoing guidance statewide through our resource library, monthly webinars, and a fun podcast. In addition, tailored health consultation services are now available to early childhood care and education providers in these expanded areas: Calumet Columbia Green Green Lake Juneau Kenosha Polk Waukesha Learn more about the ECHC program, services, and health consultation service locations on the ECHC website. CACFP Training in September Register now for the in-person Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) Training this September! This training is available for currently participating CACFP agencies. Each agency may register for one training location and a maximum of three staff per agency may register. A waitlist will be started once class registration reaches capacity. Training includes a general session and two breakout sessions. Breakout sessions will focus on identifying whole grain-rich, special dietary needs (focusing on dairy allergies and lactose intolerance), financial management, meal planning ideas, and infants. To register, go to the CACFP Training website. All trainings are from 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. There is no charge to attend. Eau Claire: Wednesday, September 13 Appleton: Thursday, September 14 Milwaukee (Mequon): Wednesday, September 20 Madison: Thursday, September 28 Please share this information with the appropriate staff at your agency. If your agency has already signed up for a training and would like to add a third attendee, please send an email to cnt@dpi.wi.gov. Tuesday Talks: August Recording Now Available Did you miss the August Tuesday Talks with DECE? In August we very discussed some Child Care Counts Round 3 updates. Then the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) spoke about the REWARD program and how child care providers can apply for and receive this stipend. The link to the recording is now available in the August 15, 2023, accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage. Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is September 19 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Child Care Counts Updates and Wisconsin Shares. Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website. Información de las charlas del martes en español. DCF is Hiring The Division of Early Care and Education, Milwaukee Early Care Administration, is hiring several Child Care Subsidy Specialists. These positions will authorize child care for parents and providers by reviewing child care eligibility, ensuring the parent has provided accurate and complete verification documents, applying appropriate state and federal policies, and completing authorizations. The positions are headquartered at our Milwaukee office and will have the option of working remote up to five days per week. The deadline to apply for this position is August 30, 2023. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs. WEESSN EAP Series: Moving Forward Together Early childhood educators are the backbone of Wisconsin’s workforce. But you don’t have to do all the heavy lifting alone. The EAP – Educator Assistance Program – is a free benefit of WEESSN, available to all staff in WEESSN-enrolled programs and their household and family members. The WEESSN EAP Series: Moving Forward Together is designed to help you build skills and strategies to handle stress and deal with challenging times. It includes four Guided Sessions and three Support Groups led by professional counselors on these topics: Dealing with Financial Stress, Stress Management, Preventing Burnout, and Compassion Fatigue. Stress Management: Wednesday, September 6, 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Preventing Burnout: Tuesday, October 10, 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Dealing with Financial Stress: Wednesday, November 8, 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Compassion Fatigue: Tuesday, December 12, 6:30-7:30 p.m. CT Each session will be presented separately in English and Spanish from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and will earn Wisconsin Registry credit. Learn more about the EAP and the training series. Reminder: 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 Radon 101 Video from DHS Instructions for Testing Your Home for Radon Radon: How to Test (video) Reminder: 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.
