December 15 Child Care Provider Updates Please note that we will not be sending any listserv messages during the week between Christmas and New Year’s. Our regular messaging schedule will resume on January 3, 2023. CACFP Announcement: ByHeart Infant Formula Recalled The Department of Public Instruction released an announcement this week about the ByHeart Infant Formula recall: On December 11, 2022, ByHeart voluntarily recalled certain infant formula products. For details about this recall and affected products, visit: Byheart Issues Voluntary Recall of Five Batches of Its Infant Formula Because of Possible Health Risk | FDA. USDA remains committed to ensuring CACFP participants have access to safe formula to meet their nutritional needs. We are working closely with the FDA to monitor this developing situation and are ready to respond if the impact of the recall evolves. Parents and caregivers of infants who have purchased this product should follow instructions provided by ByHeart in their letter to consumers. Parents and caregivers of infants who have used this product and are concerned about the health of their child should contact their health care provider. For more information, visit the CACFP website or contact your local CACFP worker. You Are a Gift. Let WEESSN Give Back to You! Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN) is a program of Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA). Many of you already participate in WECA programs – REWARD, T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin, Food Program – that support early childhood educators and the early care and education profession. WEESSN provides real-world child care business solutions and support – 100% FREE! Thanks to our generous public and private funders, we’re excited to share these FREE services with you. And you deserve them! You help shape the minds and futures of our most precious resource – the children in your care. These gifts include: Join WEESSN by Dec. 31, 2022 and receive a $10 Kwik Trip gift card and a chance to win a new computer! NEW in 2023: Educator Assistance Program (EAP) - 100% confidential, free mental health counseling, legal and financial consultation, and more, for all early childhood educators in WEESSN programs and their family/household members NEW: Tax guides and child care tax app, plus personal coaching about tax credits LegUp enrollment management Professional development: 20+ free sessions that earn Wisconsin Registry Easy access to tool kits, forms, and policies so you don’t have to recreate the wheel. If your program is not already enrolled in WEESSN, you’ll need to join first. Don't worry, joining WEESSN is FREE and easy. Learn more about WEESSN here and join today! And learn more about WECA’s programs here. Reminder: Get Ready for Child Care Counts Update/Application Week – Dec. 19-23 Next week, December 19-23 is the December Child Care Counts Update/Application Week. Prepare to update your child attendance and staff records so you don’t miss out on any funding. 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 videos to view step-by-step instructions on how to submit your application. Review the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week video to learn how to make application modifications during Update Week. Applications for the November Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by December 16, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. If you need assistance, email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650. Child Care Counts Información en español.
