July 5 Child Care Provider Updates

Dream Up! Cohort 3 Awardees Announced

DCF announced the Dream Up! Child Care Supply-Building Cohort 3 grant awardees earlier today. Nine additional Wisconsin communities were awarded Dream Up! grants as part of Cohort 3. Twenty-eight communities were awarded in the first two cohorts. You can read the full press release and view the Cohort 3 awardees on the DCF website.

How do I Connect to YoungStar Connect?

The YoungStar Connect team is now providing all YoungStar services, including coaching and rating. Wondering who you should contact to get your YoungStar program needs met? Check out information below to learn more.

General Questions and Contract Submissions: Need support with your YoungStar Contract? Want to request one-on-one coaching, but it's not time to submit a renewal? The YoungStar Connect Help Desk is available to answer your questions or guide you in the right direction! Access the YoungStar Connect Help Desk in whichever way works for you!

Coaching Questions: Coaches are assigned to providers when one-on-one coaching is requested through the help desk or on a YoungStar Contract, Renewal Contract, or Off-Year Services Application. The YoungStar Connect team wants to take the time to get to know your needs before assigning the best-fit, one-on-one coach for you! After being assigned, your coach will reach out to you to begin the process.

Regional Questions: Looking for a person to contact to support your questions within a particular YoungStar region?

Email your regional Coaching Manager:

Visit your regional YoungStar office in person. Find the address and local office hours.

Your ideas and feedback are important to the YoungStar Connect team. Visit youngstarconnect.com to learn more, including more about who is on the Wisconsin team, or email us at help@youngstarconnect.com. 

ECHC Expansion Starting in July

The Early Childhood Health Consultation (ECHC) is a free program to support best health and safety practices within early childhood care settings. It is in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, housed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology, and funded through the Preschool Development Grant.

Currently, the ECHC program offers ongoing guidance statewide through our resource library, monthly webinars, and a fun podcast. In addition, tailored health consultation services are now available to early childhood care and education providers in these newly expanded areas:

  • Douglas
  • Kewaunee
  • La Crosse
  • Pierce
  • Potawatomi
  • Croix
  • Taylor
  • Walworth
  • Washington

Learn more about the ECHC program, services, and health consultation service locations on the ECHC website. For a list of service areas visit the ECHC Expansion Map. Questions, email echc@sohe.wisc.edu or call 608-228-1377.

Reminder: Child Care Counts June Application Period is Closed

The latest payment program application period is closed. Applications for the June Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by July 14, 2023, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next update/application period is July 22-30, 2023. 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.

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

Child Care Counts Información en español.

Reminder: July 6 ECHC Webinar – Scrapes, Scratches, & Owies: Simple Wound Care in Early Childhood

Summertime can bring skinned knees and small scratches. How should early childhood care and education providers respond? Kiddos are bound to have simple wounds that can be addressed in care. Come learn how to safely and confidently respond to these situations. Kelly O’Connor (Registered Nurse & ECHC Health Consultant) and Dr. Dipesh Navsaria (Pediatrician & ECHC Director) will facilitate this 60-minute webinar. Time will be available following the presentation for live question & answer.

Join the ECHC, a Registry Training Sponsored Organization, in exploring best health & safety practices for early childhood care & education, while having the opportunity of free continuing education credits for early childhood providers.

July 6 at 1 p.m. Registration Link

Additional ECHC Resources

Reminder: DECE is Hiring Multiple Positions

DCF/Division of Early Care and Education (DECE) is hiring.

  • The Bureau of Early Care Regulation is recruiting to fill a Licensing/Certification Specialist position in Wisconsin Rapids. 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. The deadline to apply for this position is July 13.
     
  • The Bureau of Operations and Planning (BOP) is recruiting to fill a Portfolio Manager position in Madison or Milwaukee. The Portfolio Manager will work closely with contracted project managers and other staff within BOP to manage one or more program-level portfolio(s). The Portfolio Manager is responsible for the direction, coordination, implementation, flow, and completion of projects, while remaining aligned with the vision, mission, strategy, and goals of the department. This role will also carry project manager responsibilities which include developing detailed project plans, ensuring resource availability and allocation, overseeing the implementation process and delivery of projects on time within budget and scope and reporting progress, risks, and outcomes to program areas. The deadline to apply for this position is July 17.

The Department of Children and Families offers excellent benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment, with many positions having the ability to work primarily remote. To learn more, view all open DCF positions, and to apply, visit Wisc.Jobs.