October 17 Child Care Provider Updates Gov. Evers Directs $170 Million in Emergency Funding to Continue Child Care Counts Gov. Tony Evers has announced that he’s directing $170 million in emergency funding to the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) to continue the Child Care Counts Stabilization Payment Program through June 2025. While this emergency stopgap measure does not meet the same funding levels Child Care Counts has received previously, it does respond to the clear messages from providers, parents, and community leaders across the state that child care providers need relief so they can continue to serve children and allow parents to participate in the workforce. Read the complete press release. DCF will share information about this new funding as soon as it is available. Senate Committee Hearing on Child Care Bills Tomorrow Tomorrow the Wisconsin Senate will hold a Public Hearing on six bills related to child care: SB 422/AB 389 creates a new regulation category of large family child care SB 423/AB 391 increases staff-to-child ratios and maximum group sizes in group centers SB 424/AB 390 lowers the minimum age for assistant child care teachers and school age group leaders and changes rules for when and how long they can provide sole supervision to children SB 425/AB 392 modifies the number of children a certified family child care provider can serve SB 426/AB 387 creates a child care reimbursement account program SB 421/AB 388 creates a loan fund for child care program renovations Members of the public are able to provide in-person testimony or written testimony regarding the bill. If you would like to submit written testimony, you can email the Senate Committee on Mental Health, Substance Abuse Prevention, Children and Families, which is holding the hearing. Emails may be sent to Committee Chairman Senator Jesse James at: Sen.James@legis.wisconsin.gov Tuesday Talks with DECE is Today The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is today, October 17 at 1:30 p.m. and we will revisit both Child Care Counts and 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. Only a Few Days Left to Update Your October Child Care Counts Information Time is running out to update your October Child Care Counts application. The deadline is Sunday, October 22 at 11:59 p.m. What You Need to do During Update Week You must review, update, and resubmit your application every month. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update 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. 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. Foundational Correspondence Trainings Ending July 31, 2024 Over the last year, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has worked on revising the noncredit Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT) that many providers complete to begin their career in child care. The purpose of the revision is to ensure all individuals entering the field are receiving consistent, high-quality trainings with real-time feedback and discussion with instructors and peers. Revisions to the trainings include content updates and changes in acceptable delivery formats. The current correspondence method of delivery will be updated to both face-to-face and interactive online methods to ensure trainings continue to be accessible. Here are key dates for this revision: The last day to register for any of the current trainings is May 31, 2024. The revisions will go into effect in June 2024. Correspondence trainings will no longer be offered after the revisions go into effect in 2024. Train the Trainer Events: Child Care Foundational Trainings Over the last year, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has worked on revising the noncredit Child Care Foundational Trainings that many providers complete to begin their career in child care. These revisions will go into effect June 2024. The purpose of the revisions is to ensure all individuals entering the field are receiving consistent, high-quality trainings with real-time feedback and discussion with instructors and peers. To prepare for the revised content, DCF is partnering with the Wisconsin Registry to hold Train-the-Trainer events in spring 2024 for anyone interested in becoming an approved trainer. Individuals must complete a Train-the-Trainer event for each foundational training prior to facilitating any trainings. More information on the new trainer approval process and the dates, times, location, and how to register for the Train-the-Trainer events are available on the department’s Child Care Foundational Training webpage. If you have any questions, please email DCFDECEcctraining@wisconsin.gov.
