Wisconsin Department of Children and Families - Division of Early Care and Education
Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration
Wisconsin Shares Handbook
Wisconsin Shares does not allow authorizations for time during the typical school day for children in grades K through 12 while the school year is in session. The typical school day is determined by the local agency after a review of the school district hours of operation and school district calendar for schools within the county. A child’s school bell schedule does not need to be entered in CSAW or documented in case comments.
Children in grades K through 12 can receive authorizations for times outside of the typical school hours during the school year and for times when school is not in session (e.g., summer break, planned holiday breaks, or other planned school-closed times).
An authorization may be written for a school age child during the typical school day when school is in session if a short-term (defined as less than 30 days) emergency occurs in which the child needs to attend virtual school at a child care provider while the parent participates in their approved activity.
After reviewing the parent’s authorization request and if it is still unclear if the situation meets the need for an authorization, the agency worker should contact the Child Care Help Desk at childcare@wisconsin.gov for review and approval or denial. A short-term emergency authorization must be documented in case comments (see 12.2).
| Example: Sadie is in first grade and breaks her arm during recess. Sadie’s mom Nichole has reached out to the school who said they will allow Sadie to attend virtual school for three weeks while she heals. Nichole contacts her local agency to request an authorization for Sadie at her current after-school child care provider for the three weeks during the typical school day while Nichole participates in her approved activity. The worker enters the authorization for the three-week time period. |
The following children are not eligible for an authorization during the typical school day or for school closed hours:
Children who are homeschooled
Children who are truant
Children between the ages of 6 and 18 who are required to be enrolled in school per the Department of Public Instruction and are not enrolled (excluding expelled children while the parent searches for a new education arrangement)
Children who are suspended from school
Expelled children who are considered disenrolled may be eligible to receive an authorization during the typical school day while the parent searches for a new education arrangement. The parent will have been notified by the school if the child is expelled and disenrolled. If a child’s enrollment status is questionable, the parent must provide verification of the child’s school enrollment status.
16.1.1.4.1 Zero-Hour Authorizations
16.1.1.4.2 School Closed Hours
This section last updated 11/1/2024