December 8 Child Care Provider Updates Improving Staff Health and Wellness Webinar Early care and education programs that support the well-being of all program staff are better able to provide the high-quality care and nurturing that young children need. Child care health consultants (CCHCs) have an opportunity to promote the physical and mental health of staff by helping programs implement wellness strategies. This webinar, from the National Center on Health, Behavioral Health, and Safety, discusses program-level strategies for promoting wellness by creating an environment that enhances staff’s physical and mental health. Join the webinar on Thursday, December 15, 2022, from 12-1 p.m. Key Topics In this webinar, you’ll learn about: Components of a healthy workplace and a culture of wellness Common stressors, mental health, and staff wellness in programs The ways in which child care health consultants can support personal wellness within programs Target Audience This webinar will benefit: Child Care Health Consultants Head Start and Early Head Start health services staff members and other service area managers Child care directors School nurses working with pre-kindergarten programs Child care resource and referral agency personnel Send your questions and comments to NCHBHS at health@ecetta.info or call them at 888-227-5125 (toll-free). Register today! Related ResourcesExplore related resources on the Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center (ECLKC) website to learn more. Prioritizing Staff Wellness Cultivating Wellness: 8 Dimensions of Staff Well-Being Creating a Staff Wellness Action Plan (SWAP) YoungStar Transition Updates Shine Early Learning and their collaborative partners have begun the transition to becoming DCF’s new YoungStar administrator. Shine Early Learning, SFTA, and DCF are all committed to working together on a smooth transition, with uninterrupted, high-quality YoungStar services over the next several months. Although your YoungStar local office, consultant, and/or rater may be changing, many things will remain the same. See the Shine Early Learning press release for additional details. Our next Tuesday Talks with DECE on December 20 at 1:30 p.m. will focus on the road map for this transition. Mark your calendars and join us on Zoom for the latest YoungStar transition information! You Care for Children. Let WEESSN Care for You! Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN), a program of Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA), is launching an Educator Assistance Program (EAP) for programs enrolled in all three tiers of WEESSN starting in January 2023. As a part of WEESSN, all child care employees and their household family members will have access to FREE services that support their personal well-being including: Crisis support Mental health counseling offered in-person, virtual, or group settings Legal and financial consultation Daily living/concierge referrals to resources for home improvement, pet care, relocation supports, wellness, travel, trade folks, cleaning services, and much more If your program is not already enrolled in WEESSN, you will need to join first. Don't worry, joining WEESSN is FREE and comes with many benefits to support your child care business. Learn more about WEESSN here and join today! WECA provides a host of services to support early childhood professionals and programs across Wisconsin. Learn more here. Reminder: November Child Care Counts Applications are being Reviewed The latest payment program application period is closed. Applications for the November Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by December 16, 2022, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. The next update/application period is December 19-23, 2022. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks. Spending Deadline Reminder All Stabilization Payment Program funds must be spent within 120 days from the date of the payment letter. See the Use of Funds section of the Frequently Asked Questions for more information. July 2022 funds must be spent by December 17, 2022. If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650. Child Care Counts Información en español.
