April 26 Child Care Provider Updates During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) will send updates to everyone who has subscribed to the DCF Child Care listserv. Afterschool Professionals Week Afterschool Professionals Appreciation Week is a time to recognize, appreciate and advocate for those who work with young people during out-of-school hours. The week is marked by celebrations, public relations, and advocacy efforts encouraging appreciation and support for afterschool professionals who make a profound difference in the lives of young people. Thank you for providing the quality programs that make a difference in the lives of our youth! This week celebrates you–the #heartofafterschool! For more information, visit the National Afterschool Association website. Healthy Environments for Kids: DHS’ Safekeeping Campaign The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Safekeeping campaign seeks to provide tips and resources to schools and early childhood education centers on maintaining environmentally safe and healthy facilities for kids and staff. Whether you’re a school nestled among the lakes and pines "up north," or a child care center in bustling Milwaukee, DHS wants you to be equipped with best practices for reducing harmful chemical exposures and ensuring healthier air and water quality for everyone in your learning community. Visit the DHS Safekeeping campaign website for four short informational videos, posters, and related resources. Sign Up for the May Improving Business Practices for Family Child Care Providers Webinar The Office of Child Care’s National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assurance is partnering with Tom Copeland on one more upcoming webinar on improving business practices for family child care (FCC) providers. Register for the webinars today! Who Should AttendThis webinar is intended for FCC providers, who will learn about marketing, legal and insurance issues, and money management/retirement for their FCC business. Business of Family Child Care: Money Management/Retirement With Tom CopelandMay 4, 2022, from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. (EDT) FCC providers will learn how to save more money for retirement and will learn how to invest using the various IRA plans available. The content includes the following: Identify ways to reduce expenses Recognize where to put money to meet short- and long-term goals Learn how to prioritize long-term financial goals Understand the five basic rules of retirement planning Gain knowledge about IRA retirement plans for providers (e.g., traditional IRA, Roth IRA, SIMPLE, SEP) Register for the May 4 webinar. May 16-20 is the Next Child Care Counts Application/Update Period The April payment program application period is closed and applications are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by May 13, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. The next application/update period is May 16-20, 2022. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks. If you need help or have questions about your Payment Program status, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650. Check out our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) to get answers to your questions. Child Care Counts Información en español.
