October 18 Child Care Provider Updates

Today – Tuesday Talks with DECE: YoungStar Transition

Join us TODAY at 1:30 p.m. for Tuesday Talks with DECE.

Today’s talk is on the YoungStar Transition. No need to register. Just follow the Zoom link posted on our website at the time of the webinar. You can also download the re-occurring calendar invite with the Zoom information in it. Spanish interpretation will be available (Información en español).

View the lineup on our website. Subscribe to our child care listserv to receive updates on upcoming talks.

YoungStar Transition Updates

DCF, Shine Early Learning, Supporting Families Together Association, and Child Care Resource & Referral Agencies are all committed to working together on a smooth transition, with uninterrupted, high-quality YoungStar services. During this transitional phase, we have received some great questions from the field, many of which are answered and published on DCF’s Frequently Asked Question list. As the contract with Shine Early Learning is finalized, and the transition continues, we will be updating the questions regularly.

Employee Retention Tax Credit Webinar by WEESSN

Have you heard about the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)? Wondering if you qualify and/or how to apply? WEESSN is hosting a webinar with national experts so you will have all the details you need to take advantage of this opportunity.

Spanish: November 9, 6:30-8 p.m. | English: November 10, 1-2:30 p.m.

To access the informational session, you’ll need to join WEESSN Tier 1. Everything is free to you. Learn more information here and join today!   

Child Care Counts September Payments Available by October 21

Applications for the September Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by October 21, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The October Count Weeks are October 9-22. The next update/application period is October 24-28, 2022. Organize your records now so you are ready for update/application week. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks.

If you need assistance, 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.

Correction: MECA Services are Now Virtual

To better serve you, our Milwaukee Early Care Administration (MECA) has transitioned to fully virtual! What does this mean for you? No lines and no travel! Note the corrected phone numbers. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Child care providers may contact a Parent Provider Liaison by calling 1-888-947-6583 options 1,1,2,1 or by email at DCFMECAParentProviderLiaisons@wisconsin.gov
Parents can request an authorization change or schedule an appointment 24/7 in the Parent Portal or by calling 1-888-947-6583.

DCF is Hiring Multiple Positions – Share with Your Networks

The Bureau of Early Care Regulation is hiring a Licensing Specialist for the Western Regional Office. This position will evaluate, license, and monitor assigned child care programs (family child care, group child care, day camps) to determine compliance with regulations established by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in order to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the children being served. This position’s caseload will primarily be in La Crosse County. The deadline to apply for this position is October 19.
The Bureau of Early Care Regulation is hiring a Licensing Specialist for the Southern Regional Office. This position will evaluate, license, and monitor assigned child care programs (family child care, group child care, day camps, and public school operated programs) to determine compliance with regulations established by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) in order to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the children being served. The deadline to apply for this position is October 21.
The Milwaukee Early Care Administration is hiring a DCF Program Supervisor. The Program Supervisor is responsible for ensuring children and parents participating in the Wisconsin Shares program are authorized for the appropriate hours of care with a certified or licensed provider in compliance with state and federal law and requirements. This position is headquartered at our Milwaukee Office and will have the option of working remotely for up to 5 days per week. The deadline to apply for this position is October 25.
The Milwaukee Early Care Administration is hiring a Child Care Subsidy Lead This position provides accountability and oversight of the Wisconsin Shares Program by serving as a lead worker and ensuring staff’s awareness and compliance with the state and federal laws, administrative rules and policies by reviewing quality standards within the authorization unit. This position is headquartered at our Milwaukee Office and will have the option of working remotely for up to 5 days per week. The deadline to apply for this position is October 25.

View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs.

Reminder: Pathways to Quality Conference and Resource Fair!

The Pathways to Quality Conference provides an opportunity to share information about current topics in early learning with child care providers living and working in the Greater Milwaukee area. The conference targets programs participating in YoungStar, Wisconsin’s Quality Rating and Improvement System. Pathways provides information and resources for all early learning professionals who work with children ages birth through 12 years of age.

Information and support for programs participating in YoungStar, Wisconsin’s Child Care Quality Rating and Improvement System sessions on:

Literacy and Language Learning
Creating Environments that Support Learning
Supporting Children’s Behavior
YoungStar Updates
And much more!

Conference Dates: October 24-29, 2022 – Hybrid format. See the conference website for complete details. Visit the Pathways Facebook page or the 4C website for more information. Easiest way to register is on the Wisconsin Registry.

Reminder: T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin Spring Application Deadline is Nov. 1

Wisconsin Early Childhood Association’s T.E.A.C.H. Early Childhood® Wisconsin program is still accepting applications for the spring 2023 semester – deadline is November 1! New applicants and current T.E.A.C.H. scholars are able to reap the wide-ranging benefits of the program’s expansion, including a significant stipend to assist with the purchase of technology to support your educational journey. Looking ahead, the summer 2023 application deadline is April 1, 2023, and fall 2023 is July 1, 2023.

T.E.A.C.H. helps make higher education nearly free for early childhood educators in Wisconsin – now, more than ever before. Review application information and FAQs on WECA’s website for more details. Questions? Contact WECA at teach@wisconsinearlychildhood.org. For more details, visit T.E.A.C.H. on WECA’s website.

Reminder: Wisconsin Out of School Time Conference – Afterschool Strong: Together We Make A Difference

Join the Wisconsin Out of School Time Conference – November 1-2, 2022 – for an opportunity for out of school time professionals to gain information, education, and resources which will support their programs, staff and participants.

November 1- Virtual Conference geared to group leaders

The Virtual Out of School Time Conference is intended to reach frontline staff who work day-to-day to offer a quality experience for youth and their families. The staff who attend the virtual sessions will walk away with ideas and inspiration to help them be successful in their onsite, day-to-day program interactions with youth and coworkers.

November 2 – In-person, all day, geared to program administrators and directors. Glacier Canyon Convention Center, Wisconsin Dells.

The In-Person Out of School Time Conference in-person conference day is intended to reach program coordinators, directors, and administrators. Individuals will walk away with ideas and inspiration to design and lead programs that offer a quality experience for their frontline staff and program participants.