August 25 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. Monkeypox Guidance Monkeypox is a rare communicable disease that is commonly spread from direct skin-to-skin contact, contact with infected fabrics and surfaces, and through respiratory secretion. Monkeypox is typically characterized by a new, unexplained rash that develops into hard, round, fluid or pus-filled skin lesions. People with monkeypox should isolate at home until all lesions have resolved, the scabs have fallen off, and a fresh layer of intact skin has formed. The disease is rarely fatal but can be more severe for children under 8 years of age. Monkeypox is considered a communicable disease, so child care providers are expected to follow all reporting requirements as dictated by licensing and certification rules. A monkeypox vaccine is currently available for select populations. Please follow all recommended CDC guidelines and visit the provided links for more information. Providers should contact their local public health offices with questions regarding Monkeypox. Additional Monkeypox Resources Monkeypox 101 Disease Reporting Vaccine Information Monkeypox: Symptom Monitoring Monkeypox: What Everyone Needs to Know to Prevent the Spread Monkeypox (CDC) Schools, Early Care and Education Programs, and Other Settings Serving Children or Adolescents FAQ (CDC) August 22 – September 2 Application Period for CCC Stabilization Payment Program Round 2 Don’t delay! Start your Round 2 Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Round 2 application today! You will need to upload documentation (child attendance and staff records) for the August Count Weeks of August 7-20. This application period is August 22 – September 2. Read the new Application Guide for step-by-step instructions on submitting your application for the two payment programs. Important Reminders You must complete and submit a new initial application to be eligible for ongoing monthly payments for Round 2. If you applied in July, much of your information will be copied to the new application. Be sure to review this information carefully and update as needed when submitting the new application. You must upload child and staff verification documents with your initial Round 2 application. Child Care Counts Información en español. DCF is Hiring Multiple Positions DCF/Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is hiring. Special Projects and Federal Initiatives Supervisor, in the Bureau of YoungStar (BOY) This position supports several special projects and federal initiatives that impact both BOY and the division, most of which are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act grants. The deadline to apply for this position is August 30. Policy and Comms Specialist, in the Secretary’s Office This project position will serve as a principal program and policy analyst and will consult with and advise leadership regarding the federal American Rescue Plan Act grant currently being implemented by the department. The deadline to apply for this position is September 7. DCF offers flexibility for predominantly remote work, and staff can report to any of the DCF offices. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs. Reminder: Register for the 2022 WECA Conference Registration is open for Wisconsin Early Childhood Association’s Annual Conference! This year’s event, with the theme “Cultivating Connections,” returns in a virtual format September 29 to October 1. This professional development experience brings together a range of informative and engaging keynotes, breakouts, and other sessions. Plus, all of this year’s registrants will receive two FREE BOOKS written by our keynote speakers. Register soon (no later than September 9) to receive your books in advance of the event and enhance your conference experience. For questions or more information, contact Jen Dittrich, WECA Membership and Training Director, jdittrich@wisconsinearlychildhood.org. Reminder: Complete Your Business Intake Form (BIF) ASAP Your local CCR&R has sent out the annual BIF. This electronic version of the BIF is partially prefilled with your program’s details for ease of updating. Information submitted electronically is updated in the CCR&R referral database. Information such as open vacancies, enrollments, and waitlists are shared with DCF and will be displayed on the Child Care Finder. If you did not receive the email, please check your junk folder.
