December 5 Child Care Provider Updates DCF Can Help Families Receiving Wisconsin Shares Pay Your Program’s Registration Fees Have you updated your prices and fees in the Child Care Provider Portal? In October, DCF began paying registration fees for families who have Wisconsin Shares authorizations. Parents with authorizations are able to receive funds to pay registration fees up to $125 twice in a rolling 12-month period. To ensure families can access this funding, make sure you’ve updated your fees in the Child Care Provider Portal or with your local agency. This is for providers who charge a registration fee only. You do not need to charge a registration fee. Visit the Provider Registration Fee FAQs for more information. December Child Care Counts Application/Update Week Starts Saturday Get ready – the next Child Care Counts Update Week is December 9-17, 2023. Organize your records now so you are ready for Update Week. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds for their November applications by December 8, 2023, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. As a reminder, you must review, update, and resubmit your application every month. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks. 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. Child Care Licensing Rules with Commentary have been updated! Updated content is now available in the following rule books with commentary: DCF-P-2532 Licensing Rules for Day Camps for Children with Commentary DCF-P-PFS4024 Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Centers and Child Care Programs Established or Contracted for by School Boards with Commentary DCF-P-PFS4069 Licensing Rules for Family Child Care Centers with Commentary Updated content is highlighted in yellow for ease of finding changes. Manuals in separate parts are currently being updated to reflect these changes as well. As a reminder, forms and publications are revised throughout the year. Please review the department’s Child Care Licensing Forms and Publications webpage to ensure you are using the most current version. If you have any questions, please contact your licensing specialist. Ensure Your Child Care Provider Portal Staff Information is Accurate Child care providers are reminded to regularly update their program’s information in the Child Care Provider Portal (CCPP) to ensure the individuals listed include only current or prospective employees or household members. DCF conducts ongoing compliance monitoring based on information entered in the Portal, so accuracy is important. Inaccurate information also may impact eligibility for potential funding opportunities in the future. For more information about updating your CCPP account, review the Child Care Provider Portal Tip Sheet. If you have questions, please contact your licensing or certification specialist. You can also contact the Child Care Background Unit by email to DCFPlicBECRCBU@wisconsin.gov or by calling 608-422-7400. Tuesday Talks: November Recording Now Available Did you miss the November Tuesday Talks with DECE? In November we revisited both Child Care Counts and the YoungStar Quality Adjustment. Then the Early Childhood Health Consultation gave an overview of their services. The link to the recording is now available in the November 21, 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 December 19 at 1:30 p.m. and the topics include Child Care Counts and Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN) Educator Assistance Program (EAP). 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 (MECA), is hiring a Child Care Subsidy Specialist. This position 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 position is 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 December 5, 2023. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs. Understanding Air Quality within Child Care Facilities / Comprender la calidad del aire en los centros de cuidado infantile Air quality goes beyond just the outdoors. What does this look like within child care facilities? How does air quality affect the health of children in care? How can early childhood care providers utilize evidence-based strategies to improve the air quality within their facilities? Join the Early Childhood Health and Consultation (ECHC) webinar on December 7 from 1-2 p.m. to learn more about the importance of air quality. Get more information and register today! Spanish interpretation will be available during live webinar. Habrá interpretación en español disponible durante el seminario web en vivo. Ages & Stages Webinar Children develop on their own timelines. Learn about milestones and how to help when one size doesn't fit all. This webinar is useful for both parents and providers. Join the Parents Place webinar about Ages and Stages on Wednesday, December 14 at 5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m. Questions? Contact Ann-Marie St John at astjohn@parentsplacewi.org or 262-549-5575.
