October 3 Child Care Provider Updates Reminder: Additional One-Time Payment for September 2023 Please note: DCF is aware of incorrect formatting in the individualized Child Care Counts additional payment notification emails that were sent on 9/29/23. Corrected emails were sent at approximately 5 p.m. on 9/29/23. The additional payment can be viewed in the Provider Portal, under the Details for Payment Program A. Payment letters will be uploaded to the Provider Portal in the coming weeks. DCF has identified approximately $670,000 in available unused funding from the Child Care Counts (CCC) Stabilization Payment Program. In order to maximize CCC funding to providers, DCF issued a one-time payment on 9/29/23 to currently eligible providers who received funding (or had funding reserved) for the August payment round. Additional one-time payment amounts for eligible providers are as follows: $200 for Licensed Group Providers, Licensed Day Camps, and License-Exempt Public School Providers $150 for Regulated (Licensed and Certified) Family Providers Child care providers qualified for the additional one-time payment if they met the following criteria: The provider was eligible and met the Participation Deadline for Round 3 of the Child Care Counts Stabilization Payment Program. The provider received funds (or a letter indicating reservation of funds, if they did not receive a payment) for Payment Program A in the August payment round The provider was eligible and regulated on the August payment date (9/8/23) Use of Funds Providers must use the additional payment according to the terms and conditions for the Stabilization Payment Program Round 3, Payment Program A. This additional payment must be spent 120 days from the date of the payment letter (must be spent by 1/26/24). September Child Care Counts Update Period is Closed The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the September Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by October 13, 2023, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. The next update period October 14-22, 2023. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks. 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. May 2023 funds must be spent by October 14, 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. Ask Us About Wisconsin Shares – Submit Your Questions for the October Tuesday Talks We heard you during the September Tuesday Talks and know we have more work to do to answer your questions about Wisconsin Shares. That’s why we are dedicating time during our October Tuesday Talks to continue to answer these questions. To help us prepare, we are asking that you submit your questions in advance using this survey. Submitting your questions in advance will help us determine common themes and create a presentation that addresses as many people’s questions and concerns as possible. Take the survey in English Haga esta encuesta en español Please take the above survey by Tuesday, October 10 at midnight. Reminder: Wisconsin Shares Policy Changed on October 1 The Wisconsin Shares Subsidy program changed on October 1. Parent subsidy amounts changed from an hourly amount to a part-time or full-time amount. And, parents with authorizations are now able to request funds to a pay a registration fee to the provider at the time they are charged. Visit the Wisconsin Shares Policy Changes webpage to learn more about these exciting changes! Please help us communicate these changes to parents by distributing the flyer (color version or black & white version) to your parents and/or posting it in common areas. English – color black & white Spanish – color black & white Tuesday Talks: September Recording Now Available Did you miss the September Tuesday Talks with DECE? In September we very briefly discussed some Child Care Counts Round 3 updates. Then the Wisconsin Shares team reviewed changes to how subsidy is calculated, the addition of the registration fee payment, and an update to the program’s eligibility requirements. The link to the recording is now available in the September 19, 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 October 17 at 1:30 p.m. Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website. Información de las charlas del martes en español. Reminder: New Voluntary Repayment Agreement Form - Effective October 1 A new Voluntary Repayment Agreement (VPA) form must be used beginning October 1, 2023, to align with Part-time/Full-time voluntary return reasons. This form is used to repay funds received in excess for Wisconsin Shares program only. This form should not be used for any other program (Child Care Counts, Birth to Three, etc.) Please utilize new form DCF-F-5178-E (available in Spanish, too). If you have any questions, please contact childcare@wisconsin.gov. Reminder: Child Care Providers Voice Requested DCF and our partners are developing an Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health (IECMHC) Consultation model in our state. When fully implemented, child care providers can access free consultation services that support the well-being of both caregivers and young children. Examples of consultation include learning new strategies and techniques for responding to child behaviors that adults may find challenging. As we develop this program, we want to hear from you. Over the next half-year we want to hold a few conversations with in-home child care providers and group child care teachers on the challenges you face with the children you care for and how a mental health consultant might help you feel more prepared and successful. These meetings will be virtual (via Zoom), 60 minutes in length, and take place on a weeknight (early evening). The first conversation will be in October or November. We will compensate you for your time at $20 per hour (an e-gift card). If you want to share your voice and participate, contact Sarah Dillinger at sarah.dillinger1@wisconsin.gov. Visit the IECMHC website to learn more. Reminder: 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
