Appendix A - Abbreviations and Definitions

4K

Four-Year-Old Kindergarten

5K

Five-Year-Old Kindergarten

AA degree

Associate of Arts degree – Two-year degree from a technical college or university.

Accreditation

Accreditation is a voluntary process designed to improve the quality of early and school-age care programs. Accreditation systems require programs to meet standards that exceed minimum State regulatory requirements. Achieving accreditation involves extensive self-study and validation by professionals outside the program to verify that quality standards are met.

ADA

Americans with Disabilities Act – Accessibility standards for people with disabilities. Applies to child care buildings and programs if there is no “undue” burden to comply.

Administrator Credential

Credential issued by the Registry designed for persons working in center administration (family and group settings). Also called the Wisconsin Child Care Administrator Credential.

BA or BS degree

Bachelor of Arts or Science degree – Four-year degree from a college or university. Required to teach in a public school.

BCCSA

Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration in the Department of Children and Families – Agency responsible for Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program integrity.

BCR

Background Check Request Form (F-5296)

BECR

Bureau of Early Care Regulation in the Department of Children and Families – Agency responsible for licensing of child care centers as well as the oversight of the child care certification program.

Birth to 3

Early Childhood Special Education services for children from birth to age three. Offers therapies, play groups and other services for young children with disabilities.

BOY

Bureau of YoungStar in the Department of Children and Families – Agency responsible for the administration of YoungStar, Wisconsin Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System, as well as other quality initiatives such as contracts with child care resource and referral agencies and the Child Care Information Center.

BRITS

Benefit Recovery Investigation Tracking System – This system tracks recipient public assistance fraud and claim investigations for state staff and partner agencies in the Badger Care Plus, Child Care, FoodShare, Medical Assistance and Wisconsin Works programs.

CACFP

Child and Adult Care Food Program – Federal food costs reimbursement program open to family and group child care centers. Group centers contract directly with the Department of Public Instruction. Family centers work with local food program sponsor agencies.

CAN

Child Abuse and Neglect

CARES or CWW

Client Assistance Reemployment and Economic Support database. Also known as CARES Worker Web.

CANPB

Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Board – Child abuse and neglect prevention agency in Wisconsin.

CBC

Child Care Background Check

CBU

Child Care Background Unit – Section of the Bureau of Early Care Regulation responsible for conducting caregiver background checks.

CBRF

Community Based Residential Facility

CC

Child Care

CCAP

Wisconsin Consolidated Court Automation Project – Online criminal, municipal and civil court records.

CCDF

Child Care and Development Fund – Federal child care block grant that provides money to the states for child care administration and quality initiatives.

CCIC

Child Care Information Center – Resource lending library for early childhood programs and personnel funded through Bureau of Early Learning and Policy in the Department of Children and Families.

CCPP

Child Care Provider Portal - Website initially created to support the rollout of the MyWIChildcare program, which is used by all families receiving Wisconsin Shares subsidies. In October 2018, a new module was added that allows child care centers to report current and prospective employees for background check purposes. The user can also view the status of background checks and eligibility notices for their staff and other individuals associated with the child care program.

CCRR or SFTA

Child Care Resource and Referral agencies – Eight lead agencies and three partner agencies around the state, each county served by a CCRR. Provide training and resources to centers and parents. The agencies fall under the umbrella of the Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA).

CDA

Child Development Associate – A national credential certifying basic competence in working with young children. Accepted as meeting entry-level training requirements for teachers.

Certification

Voluntary form of regulation for child care providers caring for three or fewer children under age seven. Administered by Bureau of Early Care Regulation in Milwaukee county, counties, tribes or contracted agencies such as Child Care Resource and Referral agencies (CCRR). School-age certification is available for school-age programs that serve fewer than three children under age seven.

CESA

Cooperative Educational Services Agencies – Serves as a link between school districts, and between school districts and the state. Provides training to early childhood professionals. Works with 4K collaborative programs.

Chapter 48

Section of the Wisconsin Statutes that applies to children’s programs including child care licensing.

CIB

Crime Information Bureau – Department of Justice bureau that maintains the criminal history database.

Collaborating Partners

Also known as Wisconsin Early Childhood Collaborating Partners (WECCP). A partnership of public and private agencies, associations and individuals working to transform early childhood education and care.  Consists of a statewide group and regional networks.  Collaboration coaches help coordinate regional activities.

CPS

Child Protective Services – County agency responsible for investigating allegations of child abuse or neglect.  The Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services (DMCPS) performs these services for Milwaukee County.

CPSC

US Consumer Product Safety Commission – Agency of the federal government that adopts safety standards, investigates complaints about product safety including cribs, children’s furniture and toys.

CRL

County Reference Letter

EBT-CSAW

Child Care Statewide Administration on the Web – Data system used for authoring child care subsidy payments.

CWW

CARES Worker Web – Department of Health Services client Assistance Economic Support Service database. Also see Client Assistance Re-employment and Economic Support database (CARES).

DAP

Developmentally Appropriate Practices – Process for teaching young children in a way that responds to their developmental needs and abilities. Housed at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).

DCF

Department of Children and Families sometimes referred to internally as the Department.

DECE

Division of Early Care and Education in the Department of Children and Families – Division that houses the Bureau of Early Care Regulation, Bureau of Quality Improvement, Bureau of Child Care Administration and the Bureau of Milwaukee Early Care Administration. YoungStar and Race to the Top early childhood are a part of this division.

DHA

Division of Hearings and Appeals in the Department of Administration. Agency responsible for hearing appeals of an enforcement action.

DHS

Department of Health Services - Conducts background checks for adult programs. Oversees public health functions for Wisconsin.

DHS 12

Department of Health Services Administrative Code 12 – Rule that interprets Ch. 48.685 Wis. Stats., also known as the Background check law.

DMCPS

Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services - Agency responsible for child protective services in Milwaukee County (previously called BMCW).

DOB

Date of Birth

DOC

Department of Corrections – Responsible for overseeing prisons, probation, parole and extended supervision.

DOJ

Department of Justice – Also refers to the findings contained in the criminal history database.

DOR

Wisconsin Department of Revenue

DPH

Division of Public Health in the Department of Health Services – Provides guidance to the local public health departments.

DPI

Department of Public Instruction – Licenses degreed teachers, assists school districts,  coordinates instruction for students through model academic and model early learning standards, works with high schools offering child care courses approved by the Department of Children and Families, issues completion certificates for individuals who completed high school courses accepted for entry-level training, manages the 4K programs throughout the state.

DQA

Division of Quality Assurance – Division in the Department of Health Services responsible for conducting caregiver background checks for adult programs.

DSPS or DRL

Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services – Department of Regulation and Licensing is responsible for ensuring the safe and competent practice of licensed professionals in Wisconsin. Maintains a database of professional licenses checked as part of a child care background check. Regulates commercial and residential buildings and fire protection.

DSP

Division of Safety and Permanence – Division in Department of Children and Families (DCF) that licenses residential children’s programs such as group foster homes, child placing agencies and residential care centers for children. Oversees foster care and adoption and child protective services.

DWD

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

ECE

Early Care and Education or Early Childhood Education or Early Childhood Excellence

ECERS

Early Childhood Environmental Rating System – Method of assessing quality in individual classrooms for children ages three to five years old. Included in the YoungStar quality rating and improvement system for centers at a four- or five-star level.

Early Childhood Special Education

Often referred to simply as Early Childhood when associated with school districts. Special education provided by school districts for children beginning at age three years.

eWISACWIS

Wisconsin State Automated Child Welfare Information System – Data system that contains information on Child Protective Services investigations and findings.

FBI

Federal Bureau of Investigation – Refers to a fingerprint-based background checked based on fingerprints.

FCC

Family Child Care Centers – Programs licensed by Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR) that are usually in a provider’s home and care for no more than eight children.

FCCERS

Family Child Care Environmental Rating System – Method of assessing quality in family child care settings. Included in the YoungStar quality rating and improvement system for programs at a four- or five-star level.

FEIN

Federal Employment Identification Number used by businesses to report taxes.

FRC

Family Resource Centers – Provides training and resources for parents and others who care for children. Some fall under the umbrella of the umbrella of the Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA).

FP

Fieldprint®

Fundamentals of Family Child Care

Also known as the FCC course. Business course for family child care providers. May be combined with Introduction to the Child Care Profession.

GCC

Group Child Care Center – Programs licensed by the Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR) to care for 9 or more children.

HS

Head Start - Federally funded early childhood program serving primarily children from ages three to five years who meet income eligibility criteria or have disabilities. Must meet federal guidelines. Individual agencies receive grants from the federal government to offer Head Start services. Early Head Start serves children from ages birth to three years in limited communities.

HHM

Household Member – Person who resides in the child care center and may be subject to a caregiver background check.

HSED or GED

High School Equivalency or General Equivalency Diploma – Documents alternative method for completing high school education.

IBIS

Integrated Background Information System – Database run by the Department of Health Services.

IEP

Individualized Education Program – Plan for children ages 3–21 with identified special needs developed through a public school.

IFSP

Individualized Family Service Plan – Plan for children ages birth–three with identified special needs developed through a Birth to Three agency.

Inclusion Credential

Credential issued by The Registry. Designed for persons with individuals with special needs.

Infant-Toddler Credential

Credential issued by The Registry. Designed for persons working with children age birth to three years.

Institution of Higher Education

Post-high school educational institutions including technical colleges and public and private colleges and universities.

Introduction to the Child Care Profession

Also known as Intro course. Previously called Early Childhood 1 or EC1. Non-credit course used as first course for group center staff and as part of required training for family providers.

IT

Infant/Toddler or Information Technology.

ITERS

Infant-Toddler Environmental Rating Scale – Method of assessing quality in classrooms that care for children age birth to three years. Included in the YoungStar quality rating and improvement system for classrooms serving infants and toddlers.

Kids Forward

Kids Forward (previously called Wisconsin Council on Children and Families) - Multi-issue child and family advocacy organization, providing research, policy analysis, public education and advocacy that lead to improved outcomes for children in the areas of health, economic security, safety and education.

Leadership Credential

Credential issued by The Registry. Designed for people who serve the early childhood field in a leadership role.

LPPA

License Permit Program Associate.

LRE

Least Restrictive Environment – Practice of providing services to children with special needs in their familiar common setting. Increasingly these services are provided in the child care setting.

Mandated Reporter

Person required by law to report suspect child abuse or neglect. Child care providers are mandated reporters. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) approved training replaces the Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect Mandated Reporter Training (SCAN-MRT).

MECA

Milwaukee Early Care Administration bureau in the Department of Children and Families – Administers the child care subsidy program in Milwaukee County.

NAA

National Afterschool Association – Professional membership organization for agencies working with children in out-of-school activities.

National Accreditation Commission

National Accreditation Commission accredits child care programs and is a part of the National Association for Child Care Professionals.

NAEYC

National Association for the Education of Young Children – Major professional membership organization for teachers and professionals who work with young children. Also accredits group child care centers.  

NAFCC

National Association for Family Child Care – Professional membership organization for family child care providers. Also accredits family child care centers.

OLC

Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Children and Families (DCF) – Attorneys who work on appeals of enforcement actions.

OOS

Out-of-state – Individual who has resided out of state within the last five years.

OSHA

Occupational Safety and Health Administration in the US Department of Labor – Sets and enforces standards for worker safety including persons working in child care settings.

PACU

Public Assistance Collection Unit – Responsible for collecting overpayments of public assistance benefits (AFDC, Child Care, FoodShare, Job Access Loans, Medical Assistance, Medicaid, Badger Care, Badger Care Plus, Senior Care and W-2).

PDAS

Professional Development Approval System – Verifies training offered to child care providers and other early childhood professionals. Operated by The Registry.

Program Director Credential

Credential issued by The Registry. Designed for center directors as an accompaniment to the Administrator’s credential.

Pyramid Model

Also called WI Pyramid Model. An evidence-based prevention/intervention framework that prevents challenging behaviors and promotes healthy social and emotional development by supporting positive relationships, creating engaging environments, providing concrete teaching strategies, and if/when needed creating individualized interventions for children.

QRIS

Quality Rating and Improvement System.

REWARD

Bonus program that rewards child care workers who have worked in the field for a set number of years. Administered by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA).

RR

Rehabilitation Review - Process for people who have certain offenses or substantiated finding of abuse or neglect to demonstrate rehabilitation under the caregiver background check law. Located in the Office of Legal Counsel at the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

SBS/AHT

Shaken Baby Syndrome / Abusive Head Trauma Prevention – Training for child care professionals in the prevention of shaken baby syndrome. Required for all child care employees working with children under age five years. The Department of Children and Families (DCF) approves course trainers.

SCAN-MRT

Suspected Child Abuse and Neglect – Mandated Reporter Training is obsolete and has been replaced by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) approved mandated reporter training.

Strengthening Families

National program to strengthen families and reduce instances of problem behaviors in children, drug and alcohol problems, and to promote social competence and improve school performance. Training is offered by Child Care Resource and Referral (CCRR) agencies.

SFTA

Supporting Families Together Association – Agency responsible for coordinating activities of the child care resource and referral agencies (CCRR) and family resource centers (FRC) throughout the state. Contracts with CCRR agencies for pre-licensing technical consultation. Is the financial agent for YoungStar (YS) and provides technical consultation to YS providers.

SHARES

Wisconsin Shares Program administered by the county for income eligible families to help pay for child care expenses.

SIDS

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome – Training in SIDS risk reduction required for all child care providers caring for children under age one.

Skills and Strategies for the Child Care Teacher

Also known as Skills. Formerly known as Early Childhood 2 or EC2.  Non-credit course that is the second course required for child care teachers in a group setting.

SOR

Sex Offender Registry - Information on sex offenders by name or location:

Wisconsin SOR

National SOR

TC

Technical College – Also see Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS).

T.E.A.C.H.
Early Childhood Wisconsin

Scholarship program for persons working in the child care field to continue education up to and including earning a master’s degree. Administered by the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA).

The Registry

Wisconsin Early Childhood Professional Development agency. Reviews education and experience and places individuals on a career ladder. Issues entry-level training completion certificates for non-credit approved courses.

UMOS

United Migrant Opportunity Service – Providing services, including child care, to children in migrant families.

UWEX

University of Wisconsin-Extension – Agency that provides statewide access to university resources and research. Extension agents are located in counties.

W-2

Wisconsin Works – Program overseen by the Division of Family and Economic Security at the Department of Children and Families (DCF). Provides assistance to low-income families.

WCCAA

Wisconsin Child Care Administrators Association – Professional association for child care center directors and administrators. Conference usually in February.

WECA

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association – Wisconsin professional association for child care providers. Wisconsin affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).  Administers the T.E.A.C.H and REWARD programs. Food program sponsor for Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP). Conference usually in the fall.

WFCCA

Wisconsin Family Child Care Association – Professional association for licensed and certified family child care providers. Conference usually in May.

WHSA

Wisconsin Head Start Association – Member agency for Head Start programs in Wisconsin.

WI-AIMH

Wisconsin Alliance for Infant Mental Health – Statewide agency promoting healthy social and emotional development for children. Lead agency for the Pyramid Model training for the state.

WISCCRS

Wisconsin Child Care Regulatory System – Case management data system containing regulatory information on licensed and certified child care programs.

WMELS or MELS

Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards – Voluntary standards designed to provide a framework for quality programs in early childhood settings.

WORCS

Wisconsin Online Record Check System – Maintained by the Wisconsin Department of Justice.

WTCS

Wisconsin Technical College System – Statewide coordination board for technical colleges. Also, see technical colleges (TC).

YS/YoungStar

YoungStar is the Wisconsin Quality Rating and Improvement System that evaluates regulated child care program and assigns a star rating based on the number of points achieved across various areas including professional development, curriculum, environment, business practices, and health and wellness.