March 19 Child Care Provider Updates Tuesday Talks with DECE is Today The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is today, March 19 at 1:30 p.m. and we will be talking about Child Care Foundational Trainings. Registration is not required for these events. Tuesday Talks with DECE is 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. Información de las charlas del martes en español. Changes to the Child Care Foundational Trainings Over the last year, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has worked on revising the noncredit Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT) that many providers complete to begin their career in child care. The purpose of the revision is to ensure all individuals entering the field are receiving consistent, high-quality trainings with real-time feedback and discussion with instructors and peers. Revisions to the trainings include content updates and changes in acceptable delivery formats. The current correspondence method of delivery will be updated to both face-to-face and interactive online methods to ensure trainings continue to be accessible. Here are key dates for this revision process: The revisions will be available June 1, 2024 December 31, 2024, is the last day to complete the current trainings. Correspondence trainings will no longer be offered after December 31, 2024 DCF will be working with Training Sponsor Organizations to offer the revised courses for a reduced cost during this transition. More information coming soon! Please attend Tuesday Talks today, March 19, for more detailed information. For questions, please email DCFDECECCTraining@wisconsin.gov March Child Care Counts Round 4 Application/Update is Now Open It’s time to compete your March Child Care Counts application/update – now through March 31. You will be notified of your eligibility for funds for your March application by April 12, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. Update/Application Week Reminders You must review, update, and resubmit your application every month. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update 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. Review the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week video to learn how to make application modifications during Update Week. See the Child Care Counts webpage and read the Round 4 Terms and Conditions for details. 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. Free Training Series for Child Care Providers DCF has partnered with First Children’s Finance to offer trainings that specifically address business topics related to child care. Registry credit will be available for each training, and trainings are available at no cost to you. Register for the first of these trainings taking place March 26 training: Separating Your Family Child Care Finances from Your Personal Finances. Learn basic tools to separate business and personal finances. Learn to utilize computer and file systems to organize financial documents. Develop a business budget. Trainings will be offered throughout 2024. Please watch for additional upcoming topics and dates! Contact DCF Project Growth with questions at dcfmbdeceprojectgrowth@wisconsin.gov Challenged by Challenging Behaviors in Your Child Care Program? Wisconsin Early Education Shared Services Network (WEESSN), a program of WECA, is offering seven full-day Conscious Discipline® trainings across Wisconsin this spring. Many child care professionals have noted that working with children who were young during the pandemic years has presented extra challenges. Conscious Discipline is a nationally recognized, evidence-based approach that helps providers understand and navigate the complexities of child behavior. Learn more about WEESSN. Upcoming Training Dates and Locations Green Bay – April 6La Crosse – April 20Milwaukee – May 18*Madison – June 1*Wausau – June 8* Training in English and Spanish The cost is $25 for lunch and program materials. Find all the details, including registration links, in the Conscious Discipline flyer. The first 50 registrants for each event will receive a free copy of the Conscious Discipline: Building Resilient Classrooms book (one copy per person).
