April 2 Child Care Provider Updates

Governor Evers Vetoes Assembly Bill 388

Governor Evers has vetoed Assembly Bill 388, which establishes a $15 million child care center renovations revolving loan fund and program at the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC). In his veto message, the Governor emphasized the need for meaningful, sustainable investments to sustain the child care industry and objected to these funds being allocated as loans rather than grants. Read the veto message here.

Five-Year Fingerprint Renewals

All individuals working or residing in a regulated child care center must have new fingerprint checks every five years. Since the new initial fingerprint requirements began in 2018, many individuals will need new fingerprints in the near future.

Review your Quarterly Notices in the Child Care Provider Portal to identify any staff who are due for fingerprints. Note: Individuals who reside outside of Wisconsin must be fingerprinted every year.

When an individual is due for new fingerprints, a Fieldprint letter with unique codes will be sent out 30 days before the due date. A fingerprint appointment can be scheduled as soon as the letter is sent. Fingerprints will expire 30 days after an overdue notice is issued.

Visit our website for more information and frequently asked questions. Have questions or need assistance? Contact the Child Care Background Unit at 608-422-7400 or email at DCFPlicBECRCBU@wisconsin.gov.

2023-2024 Child Care Immunization Assessments

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) Child Care Immunization Assessment form is now available. The booklet is available electronically and all forms found in the booklet may be downloaded from the Immunization Program webpage under child care requirements.

Immunization assessments are due to DHS electronically through REDCap by May 31, 2024. The form will close at 5 p.m. on this date and will not reopen. Instructions on how to complete the form are found in the booklet and online in both English and Spanish.

A limited number of the assessment booklets will be printed and mailed upon request. To request a hard copy of the booklet to be mailed to you, please call 608-267-9959.

Please email DHSImmProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov with any questions.

Additional Resources

March Child Care Counts Update Period is Closed

The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the March Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by April 12, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next update period April 27 – May 5, 2024. See the Child Care Counts Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks.

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.

Tuesday Talks – March Recording Now Available

Did you miss the March Tuesday Talks with DECE? The link to the March 19 talk on Child Care Foundational Training is now available in the March 19, 2024, accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage.

Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m. and we will discuss Day Camps. 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.

Upcoming Training Opportunities from SFTA

Supporting Families Together Association (SFTA) is offering several training opportunities in April and May.

AHT Prevention Train-the-Trainer on Zoom

TTAP Course Series

Registration is open for the following courses:

  • TTAP Course Series – Trainer: Tuesday, May 7 – Tuesday, May 28, 4-7:30 p.m.
  • TTAP Course Series – Foundations: Thursday, May 9 – Thursday, May 30, 12:30-4:30 p.m.

Note: These are blended courses, pre-work to be completed on ECExplorer, SFTA’s LMS and four face-to-face sessions to be held on Zoom.

Two New Resources from First Children’s Finance

First Children’s Finance is offering two resources:

  • Child care community webinars focused on best practices to engage your community and address the child care shortages happening in every Wisconsin county. All Wisconsin residents are invited to participate. Visit the Dream Up! webpage for topics, dates, and to register.
  • Child care entrepreneurial trainings that will address critical business topics for family child care owners, child care centers, or anyone interested in learning about the business side of child care. Registry credit will be available for each training, and trainings are available at no cost. See the Child Care Entrepreneur Training series webpage for topics, dates, and to register.

For questions, contact DCF Project Growth at dcfmbdeceprojectgrowth@wisconsin.gov.