March 21 Child Care Provider Updates

Tuesday Talks with DECE is Today

The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is TODAY, March 21 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Rule Revisions (DCF 250, 251, and 252) and Regulation 101. 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.

DHS Radon Training for Child Care Providers

As of March 1, 2023, licensed family and group child care providers are required to test for radon and mitigate radon if needed. Radon is an odorless, colorless, naturally occurring gas that increases the risk of developing lung cancer, especially in young children.

To assist with transitioning to this new rule, the Department of Health Services (DHS) will hold two virtual trainings for licensed child care providers that will cover the basics of radon, best practices, and will contain information on how to test and mitigate for radon. These trainings will be held on Wednesday, March 22 and Friday, March 24 from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Interested providers may register for these trainings via the links below. Both trainings will contain the same information, so providers do not need to attend both. If you are unable to attend either virtual training, the presentation will be recorded and will be made available on DHS’s Radon in Child Care webpage.

If you have any questions regarding this training, email Amanda St. Martin at amanda.stmartin@wisconsin.gov.

Additional Resources

Child Care Counts March Applications Due March 24

Time is running out to apply/update your information for the March Child Care Counts program. Update your child attendance and staff records so you don’t miss out on any funding. The deadline is Friday, March 24 at 11:59 p.m.

Apply for Payment Program C – Promoting Inclusive Spaces in March Only

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is launching a one-time payment - Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program C to support Wisconsin’s early care and education community in promoting inclusive spaces in high-quality child care centers. This is a one-time payment and will only be available during the March 2023 Application. 

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.

If you need assistance, email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650.

Child Care Counts Información en español.

YoungStar Listening Sessions – New Dates and Corrected Links

In partnership with DCF, Shine Early Learning will be hosting in-person listening sessions in each region to learn about challenges, needs, and successes. These sessions will help guide statewide and regional program and resource development on both the quality and regulation side of early care and education.

The previously canceled session in Milwaukee has been rescheduled and a Milwaukee session in Spanish has been added. Use the corrected RSVP links to register for each session.

  • Milwaukee Spanish Session | RSVP
    March 29 – 6-8 p.m.
    United Community Center
  • Milwaukee | RSVP
    March 30 – 6-8 p.m.
    Hilton Milwaukee City Center
    509 W. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53203
    Empire Ballroom
    On-site parking in the garage will be validated
  • Rhinelander Postponed to April 6 – 6-8 p.m.
    As soon as the venue is finalized, we will send more information.

Additional in-person sessions in Spanish will be scheduled in April, as well as a virtual session in late March/early April.

WEESSN Launches New Educator Assistance Program (EAP)

Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN), a program of Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA), recently launched an Educator Assistance Program (EAP) for everyone who works in a WEESSN-enrolled child care program – and their family/household members. This important benefit promotes well-being and helps increase employee satisfaction and retention. It offers access to:

  • Mental health counseling offered via in-person, virtual, or group settings
  • Unlimited health and wellness coaching
  • Crisis support
  • Legal and financial consultations
  • Daily living/convenience referrals – and more!

Join us for orientation tours of the new EAP on March 23 in English and Spanish. 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 and join today! WECA, a longtime statewide nonprofit organization, provides a host of services to support early childhood professionals and programs across Wisconsin. Learn more on the WECA website.

ECHC Webinar: Understanding Asthma

As child care providers, you may care for children with asthma. How can you practically think about asthma in your early care and education settings? How can you communicate to parents who may have heard myths or misinformation? What are the basics of using inhaled medications and spacers?

In this 60-minute webinar, Dr. Sima K. Ramratnam, pediatric pulmonologist, allergist, and immunologist at UW Health, will explore these essential considerations on caring for children with asthma. Additional time will be available for live question and answer, including with Dr. Dipesh Navsaria, Early Childhood Health Consultation Director. Join the Early Childhood Health Consultation again this month in exploring best health and safety practices for early childhood care and education.

ECHC Webinar: Understanding Asthma 
(Free Continuing Education Opportunity!)
April 6, 2023
1-2 p.m. CT
Register for the webinar.

Join the Early Childhood Health Consultation, 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.

After registering, a confirmation email will follow-up with details on joining the webinar. Questions? Reach out to the Early Childhood Health Consultation team at echc@sohe.wisc.edu.

Additional Resources