September 19 Child Care Provider Updates Tuesday Talks with DECE is Today The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is TODAY, September 19 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Child Care Counts and upcoming policy changes to the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program. Registration is not required for these events. The Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. 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. Información de las charlas del martes en español. September Child Care Counts Update Week Starts Saturday Get ready – the next Child Care Counts Update Week is September 23 – October 1, 2023. Organize your records now so you are ready for update week. 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. Payment Information For more information about payments, visit the updated How Payments are Determined page and the Child Care Counts Updates section – Payment Amounts Starting August 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. New Resources for Families and Communities The Department of Children and Families (DCF) just published two new resources for families and communities. You can learn more about each below. Child Care Resource Guide for Families The new Child Care Resource Guide for Families highlights the importance of regulation and quality in early care and education for parents. It’s a high-level view of important child care-related topics, with links back to more resources on the DCF webpage for further information. You can access the full Child Care Resource Guide for Families on the DCF website, or by using the links below: You Have Options for Child Care Regulation Raises the Standards for Child Care Quality Child Care Makes a Difference Quality Shines Through with YoungStar Find Quality Child Care with Help from DCF Take the Next Steps Toward Choosing Quality Child Care Regulated Child Care Providers are Skilled Professionals Affordable Quality Child Care Takes Planning Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program Is my family eligible for Wisconsin Shares? How do I apply for Wisconsin Shares? How do I get my Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy? Esta guía está disponible en español. Strong Early Care and Education Builds Strong Communities Flyer The Strong Early Care and Education Builds Strong Communities flyer is a new resource on the DCF website for families and communities. It outlines the importance of the early care and education field for families and communities. It also provides additional resources for how communities can support early care and education locally. Feel free to download the flyer and begin sharing it with anyone who wants to learn more. Reminder: Upcoming Wisconsin Shares Full-time/Part-time Information Sessions The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is hosting several in-person and virtual information sessions for families about the upcoming Wisconsin Shares policy changes. Policy is being changed to improve the family-friendly approaches of the Wisconsin Shares Subsidy program. The new policy starts on October 1, 2023. Beginning with October benefits, Wisconsin Shares subsidies will change from an hourly amount to a part-time or full-time amount. Parents will also be able to receive limited funds to pay provider registration fees. Parents are welcome to attend these sessions and learn more about the Wisconsin Shares policy changes coming this fall. Statewide Virtual Parent/Caregiver Information Sessions These sessions will be held on Zoom. Links will be posted to our Wisconsin Shares Policy Changes webpage. Thursday, September 21 (English) – 1:30-3 p.m. Wednesday, September 27 (English) – 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 28 (Spanish only) – 6-7:30 p.m. Celebrate School-Age Programs with Lights On Afterschool on October 26! Launched in October 2000, Lights On Afterschool is the only nationwide event celebrating afterschool programs and their important role in the lives of children, families, and communities. The effort has become a hallmark of the afterschool movement and generates media coverage across the country each year. The Afterschool Alliance, in partnership with the 50 State Afterschool Networks, organizes Lights On Afterschool to draw attention to the many ways afterschool programs support students by offering them opportunities to learn new things—such as science, community service, robotics, Tae Kwon Do and poetry—and discover new skills. The local events send a powerful message – afterschool programs make a difference - and millions more kids need access to quality afterschool programs. For more information on LOA visit the WI Afterschool Network website and the Lights On Afterschool Network website. Questions? Contact: wisconsinafterschoolnetwork@marshfieldclinic.org. DECE is Hiring Multiple Positions DCF/Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is hiring. The Bureau of YoungStar is recruiting to fill a Program & Policy Analyst-Advanced This position will serve as the main contact and subject matter expert for Wisconsin’s Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation system. This role will work with the Consultation’s implementation partner on program design and implementation, ensuring equitable distribution of resources; coordinating research, data, and evaluation activities; and connecting consultation to other cross-agency initiatives, including suspension-expulsion prevention. The deadline to apply for this position is September 24. The Bureau of Operations and Planning is recruiting to fill an IS Business Automation Specialist This position ensures compliance with statutory and administrative code requirements for Wisconsin Shares subsidy, child care licensing and regulation, and the YoungStar program through the use of automated systems. This position provides expertise, program planning, evaluation, and analysis to provide direction to partner with IT services and/or the Department of Health Services related to maintenance, enhancements, and major projects involving different automated systems: CSAW; WISCCRS; Parent Portal; Provider Portal; YS Case Management; and CARES/CWW. The deadline to apply for this position is September 25. 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.
