How Round 3 Child Care Counts Payments are Determined

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Return to Child Care Counts home page.

Each month, information will be posted on this page to inform providers about how payments were determined for that particular time period.

Definition of Terms – How Payments are Determined

Program A

Per-Child Amount       
Program A Payment amount for each child entered in the application for the Count Week.

Wisconsin Shares Add-on Amount       
Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount       
Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

Program B

Base Per-Staff Amount       
Program B payment amount for each eligible full-time/part-time staff listed in the application.

Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount       
Program B additional payment amount based on YoungStar star rating for each eligible full-time/part-time staff listed in the application.

Providers must continue to meet program Terms and Conditions to receive monthly payments. Your monthly payment amounts may fluctuate as required by the program’s Terms and Conditions, based on available funding, and based on any adjustments DCF makes to the program.

See Round 3 terms and conditions for additional details.

May 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 6/16/2023)

Payment Letter Date 6/16/2023

Note: Payment amounts are subject to change based on available funding and applications received.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount
Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $58 $88
2-3 $50 $68
4-5 $28 $43
6+ $18 $25
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $15 $25
2-3 $15 $25
4-5 $12 $20
6+ $12 $20
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On Amount
Per Child $75

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $75
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $12 $25
3 Star $37 $75
4 Star $62 $125
5 Star $87 $175
June 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 7/14/2023)

Payment Letter Date 7/14/2023

Note: Payment amounts are subject to change based on available funding and applications received.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount      
Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $58 $88
2-3 $50 $68
4-5 $28 $43
6+ $18 $25
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $15 $25
2-3 $15 $25
4-5 $12 $20
6+ $12 $20
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $75

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $75
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $12 $25
3 Star $37 $75
4 Star $62 $125
5 Star $87 $175
July 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 8/11/2023)

Payment Letter Date 8/11/2023

Note: Payment amounts are subject to change based on available funding and applications received.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the Count Week.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the Count Week.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included in the application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount      
Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $58 $88
2-3 $50 $68
4-5 $28 $43
6+ $18 $25
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $15 $25
2-3 $15 $25
4-5 $12 $20
6+ $12 $20
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $75

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and YoungStar level.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $75
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $12 $25
3 Star $37 $75
4 Star $62 $125
5 Star $87 $175
August 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 9/8/23)

Payment Letter Date 9/8/2023.

Beginning with the August Round (Payment Letter Date 9/8/23), payments will remain the same each month. This payment amount is based on the highest child and staff count from an Eligibility Month application. Eligibility Months for Round 3 were May, June, July, or August 2023.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the highest Count Week during your Eligibility Months.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the highest Count Week during May, June, July, or August 2023.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included the Eligibility Month application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount  

Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the Eligibility Month application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest child count from May – August. If you have changes in child counts in September – January, your total Program A payment will not increase or decrease.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $60 $91
2-3 $52 $70
4-5 $29 $44
6+ $18 $26
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $16 $26
2-3 $16 $26
4-5 $13 $21
6+ $13 $21
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $78

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week during an Eligibility Month, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and August YoungStar level.

Beginning with the August Round (Payment Letter Date 9/8/23), payments will remain the same each month. This payment amount is based on the highest child and staff count from the May, June, July, or August application. 

For providers participating in YoungStar who receive the YoungStar Quality Incentive to their Program B payments, we will use their August Star level to determine funding. 

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest staff count from May – August. If you have changes in staff counts in September – January, your total Program B payment will not increase or decrease. 

If your staff counts have changed, you may need to re-calculate each staff member’s portion of the Base Per-Staff funds. You can use the Base Per-Staff Calculator to determine what your base per-staff amounts are for a given month.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $77
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $13 $25
3 Star $39 $76
4 Star $64 $127
5 Star $90 $178
Additional One-Time Payment for September 2023

Additional One-Time Payment for September 2023

DCF has identified approximately $670,000 in available unused funding from the Child Care Counts (CCC) Stabilization Payment Program. In order to maximize CCC funding to providers, DCF is making a one-time payment tonight to currently eligible providers who received funding (or had funding reserved) for the August payment round. Eligible providers can view their payment letters in the Child Care Provider Portal.

Additional one-time payment amounts for eligible providers are as follows: 

  • $200 for Licensed Group Providers, Licensed Day Camps, and License-Exempt Public School Providers
  • $150 for Regulated (Licensed and Certified) Family Providers

Child care providers qualified for the additional one-time payment if they met the following criteria:  

  • The provider was eligible and met the Participation Deadline for Round 3 of the Child Care Counts Stabilization Payment Program. 
  • The provider received funds (or a letter indicating reservation of funds, if they did not receive a payment) for Payment Program A in the August payment round 
  • The provider was eligible and regulated on the August payment date (9/8/23)

This additional payment will be reflected in the August payment on the Payments Data webpage

Use of Funds

Providers must use the additional payment according to the Terms and Conditions for the Stabilization Payment Program Round 3, Payment Program A. 

Spending Deadline

This additional payment must be spent 120 days from the date of the payment letter. 

If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a support center specialist at 608-535-3650.    
 

Frequently Asked Questions 

I received an email/payment letter indicating that I am receiving an additional payment from the August round of the Stabilization Payment Program. Do I need to do anything to receive this funding? 

No. You do not need to take any additional action. Your payment will be sent via the same method as your other Child Care Counts Payments, either through ACH direct deposit, or by check. 

I did not receive an additional payment. Why not? 

All eligible providers automatically received the additional payment. In order to receive the additional payment, providers must have met the following criteria: 

  • The provider was eligible and met the Participation Deadline for the remainder of the Child Care Counts Stabilization Payment Program. 
  • Provider received funds (or a letter indicating reservation of funds, if they did not receive a payment) for Payment Program A in the August payment round 
  • The provider was eligible and regulated on the August payment date (9/8/23)

I do not want to receive this additional payment. How do I return the funds? 

If you wish to return the funds, please mail a personal check, cashier’s check, or money order to the address below with the Provider Name, Provider #, Location #, and the Child Care Counts Round being returned:    
Bureau of Child Care Subsidy Administration    
Attention: Operations Program Associate    
PO Box 8916    
Madison, WI 53708-8916

What can the additional payment be used for? 

The additional payment must be used on allowable expenses for Program A, according to the Terms and Conditions of the Stabilization Payment Program Round 3. 

What is the funding source for this additional payment? 

This payment was distributed using American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Supplemental.

September 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 10/13/23)

Payment Letter Date 10/13/2023.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the highest Count Week during your Eligibility Months.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the highest Count Week during May, June, July, or August 2023.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included the Eligibility Month application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount  

Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the Eligibility Month application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest child count from May – August. If you have changes in child counts in September – January, your total Program A payment will not increase or decrease.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $60 $91
2-3 $52 $70
4-5 $29 $44
6+ $18 $26
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $16 $26
2-3 $16 $26
4-5 $13 $21
6+ $13 $21
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $78

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week during an Eligibility Month, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and August YoungStar level.

Beginning with the August Round (Payment Letter Date 9/8/23), payments will remain the same each month. This payment amount is based on the highest child and staff count from the May, June, July, or August application. 

For providers participating in YoungStar who receive the YoungStar Quality Incentive to their Program B payments, we will use their August Star level to determine funding. 

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest staff count from May – August. If you have changes in staff counts in September – January, your total Program B payment will not increase or decrease. 

If your staff counts have changed, you may need to re-calculate each staff member’s portion of the Base Per-Staff funds. You can use the Base Per-Staff Calculator to determine what your base per-staff amounts are for a given month.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $77
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $13 $25
3 Star $39 $76
4 Star $64 $127
5 Star $90 $178

 

October 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 11/10/23)

Payment Letter Date 11/10/2023.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the highest Count Week during your Eligibility Months.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the highest Count Week during May, June, July, or August 2023.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included the Eligibility Month application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount  

Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the Eligibility Month application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest child count from May – August. If you have changes in child counts in September – January, your total Program A payment will not increase or decrease.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $60 $91
2-3 $52 $70
4-5 $29 $44
6+ $18 $26
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $16 $26
2-3 $16 $26
4-5 $13 $21
6+ $13 $21
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $78

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week during an Eligibility Month, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and August YoungStar level.

Beginning with the August Round (Payment Letter Date 9/8/23), payments will remain the same each month. This payment amount is based on the highest child and staff count from the May, June, July, or August application. 

For providers participating in YoungStar who receive the YoungStar Quality Incentive to their Program B payments, we will use their August Star level to determine funding. 

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest staff count from May – August. If you have changes in staff counts in September – January, your total Program B payment will not increase or decrease. 

If your staff counts have changed, you may need to re-calculate each staff member’s portion of the Base Per-Staff funds. You can use the Base Per-Staff Calculator to determine what your base per-staff amounts are for a given month.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $77
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $13 $25
3 Star $39 $76
4 Star $64 $127
5 Star $90 $178

 

November 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 12/8/23)

Payment Letter Date 11/10/2023.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the highest Count Week during your Eligibility Months.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the highest Count Week during May, June, July, or August 2023.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included the Eligibility Month application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount  

Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the Eligibility Month application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest child count from May – August. If you have changes in child counts in September – January, your total Program A payment will not increase or decrease.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $60 $91
2-3 $52 $70
4-5 $29 $44
6+ $18 $26
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $16 $26
2-3 $16 $26
4-5 $13 $21
6+ $13 $21
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $78

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week during an Eligibility Month, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and August YoungStar level.

Beginning with the August Round (Payment Letter Date 9/8/23), payments will remain the same each month. This payment amount is based on the highest child and staff count from the May, June, July, or August application. 

For providers participating in YoungStar who receive the YoungStar Quality Incentive to their Program B payments, we will use their August Star level to determine funding. 

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest staff count from May – August. If you have changes in staff counts in September – January, your total Program B payment will not increase or decrease. 

If your staff counts have changed, you may need to re-calculate each staff member’s portion of the Base Per-Staff funds. You can use the Base Per-Staff Calculator to determine what your base per-staff amounts are for a given month.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $77
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $13 $25
3 Star $39 $76
4 Star $64 $127
5 Star $90 $178

 

December 2023 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 1/5/24)

Payment Letter Date 1/5/2024.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the highest Count Week during your Eligibility Months.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the highest Count Week during May, June, July, or August 2023.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included the Eligibility Month application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount  

Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the Eligibility Month application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest child count from May – August. If you have changes in child counts in September – January, your total Program A payment will not increase or decrease.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $60 $91
2-3 $52 $70
4-5 $29 $44
6+ $18 $26
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $16 $26
2-3 $16 $26
4-5 $13 $21
6+ $13 $21
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $78

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week during an Eligibility Month, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and August YoungStar level.

Beginning with the August Round (Payment Letter Date 9/8/23), payments will remain the same each month. This payment amount is based on the highest child and staff count from the May, June, July, or August application. 

For providers participating in YoungStar who receive the YoungStar Quality Incentive to their Program B payments, we will use their August Star level to determine funding. 

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest staff count from May – August. If you have changes in staff counts in September – January, your total Program B payment will not increase or decrease. 

If your staff counts have changed, you may need to re-calculate each staff member’s portion of the Base Per-Staff funds. You can use the Base Per-Staff Calculator to determine what your base per-staff amounts are for a given month.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $77
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $13 $25
3 Star $39 $76
4 Star $64 $127
5 Star $90 $178

 

January 2024 Payment Amounts (Payment letter date 2/9/24)

Payment Letter Date 2/9/2024.

Payment Program A: Increasing Access to High-Quality Child Care

Payment Program A is based on child information and attendance during the highest Count Week during your Eligibility Months.

The Per-Child Amount is calculated based on the number of children entered in the application for the highest Count Week during May, June, July, or August 2023.

The Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount is in addition to the Per-Child Amount. Providers will receive this additional funding for each child included the Eligibility Month application who had a Wisconsin Shares Authorization during the Count Week.

Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-on Amount  

Program A payment amount given in addition to the Per-Child Amount for each child included in the Eligibility Month application who is participating in the Inclusive Birth to 3 Child Care Pilot.

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest child count from May – August. If you have changes in child counts in September – January, your total Program A payment will not increase or decrease.

Per-Child Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $60 $91
2-3 $52 $70
4-5 $29 $44
6+ $18 $26
Wisconsin Shares Add-On Amount
Age Part-Time Full-Time
0-1 $16 $26
2-3 $16 $26
4-5 $13 $21
6+ $13 $21
Inclusive Birth to 3 Pilot Add-On
Per Child $78

Payment Program B: Funding Workforce Recruitment and Retention

All approved programs will receive a Base Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on the number of staff included in the Count Week during an Eligibility Month, calculated by employment status (full-time/part-time).

Programs participating in YoungStar will also receive a Quality Incentive Per-Staff amount. This amount is based on employment status (full-time/part-time) and August YoungStar level.

Beginning with the August Round (Payment Letter Date 9/8/23), payments will remain the same each month. This payment amount is based on the highest child and staff count from the May, June, July, or August application. 

For providers participating in YoungStar who receive the YoungStar Quality Incentive to their Program B payments, we will use their August Star level to determine funding. 

The table below shows how your payment was calculated, using your highest staff count from May – August. If you have changes in staff counts in September – January, your total Program B payment will not increase or decrease. 

If your staff counts have changed, you may need to re-calculate each staff member’s portion of the Base Per-Staff funds. You can use the Base Per-Staff Calculator to determine what your base per-staff amounts are for a given month.

Base Per-Staff Amount
  Part-Time Full-Time
  $38 $77
Quality Incentive Per-Staff Amount
Star Level Part-Time Full-Time
2 Star $13 $25
3 Star $39 $76
4 Star $64 $127
5 Star $90 $178