January 17 Child Care Provider Updates

Tuesday Talks with DECE is Today

The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is TODAY, January 17 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Child Care Counts Program C – Promoting Inclusive Spaces. Registration is not required for these events. The Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m.  Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and learn about future topics.

Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website.

This Week is Child Care Counts Update/Application Week – Jan. 16-23

This week, January 16-23, is the January Child Care Counts Update/Application Week. Update your child attendance and staff records so you don’t miss out on any funding. The January Update/Application Week has been extended. It will close on Monday, January 23 at 11:59 p.m. This extended Update/Application Week is for the January application only.

Update/Application Week Reminders

  • You must review, update, and resubmit your application every month. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Application Weeks.
  • Be sure to carefully review the child and staff lists for attendance and payroll status during the Count Week and hit “submit” once you have completed your review/update.
  • If you do not wish to receive payments, you must withdraw your application during Update Week.
  • Watch the How to Apply Video to view step-by-step instructions on how to submit a new
  • Review the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week video to learn how to make application modifications during Update Week.

December Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program Payments 

  • For applications submitted before the regular December 23 deadline, providers were notified of their eligibility for funds on January 13 via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.
  • Late-submitted December applications will be reviewed on a delayed schedule, and approved applications will receive payment on February 8, 2023.

If you need assistance, email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and leave your detailed questions at 608-535-3650.

Child Care Counts Información en español.

Radon Testing Updates for Child Care Centers

Do you have high levels of radon in your in-home or center-based child care center? Starting March 2023, licensed family and group child care programs will be required to regularly test for radon in their centers. You can fix a radon problem, and there are over 100 certified professionals throughout Wisconsin who are here to help with mitigation! See the Department of Health Services (DHS) Radon Measurement and Mitigation Contractors website to find a contractor in your area today!

Other Radon Resources

Free Early Childhood Health Consultation Webinar February 2

Join the February 2 ECHC Webinar – Fever, Breathing, and Pulse Ox – Oh, My! The Vital Signs That Should Scare You and The Ones That Shouldn’t. The webinar runs from 1-2 p.m.

Temperature, pulse, breathing – many become worried when we see “not normal” vital signs, but which ones should we focus on in early childhood care and education settings, and which ones are essential not to miss?

In this 60-minute webinar, Dr. Dipesh Navsaria will walk through things to think about when deciding when children need immediate health care attention. Questions will be answered following the presentation. Thank you to all those who submitted feedback on previous month’s post-webinar survey. Your feedback helped identify the topic for this month’s webinar.

Join the Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC), a Registry Training Sponsored Organization, in exploring best health and safety practices for early childhood care and education, while having the opportunity of continuing education credits for early childhood providers.

See the February ECHC webinar flyer for more details. Register for the webinar today! After registering, you’ll receive a confirmation email with details on joining the webinar. Questions? Reach out to the Early Childhood Health Consultation team at echc@sohe.wisc.edu.  

DCF is Hiring – Today is the Deadline to Apply

The Division of Early Care and Education, Bureau of Early Care Regulation, is hiring a Licensing/Certification Specialist in their southeastern region. This position evaluates, licenses, and monitors assigned child care programs (family child care, group child care, day camps) through in-person on-site visits to determine compliance with regulations established by the Department of Children and Families in order to protect and promote the health, safety and welfare of the children being served. This position is headquartered at our 141 NW Barstow Street, Waukesha, WI location. The deadline to apply for this position is January 17, 2023. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs.