June 25 Child Care Provider Updates

More Families Can Get Help Paying for Child Care!

Income eligibility requirements for the Wisconsin Shares program have increased. By increasing income limits, more Wisconsin families will be able to get help paying for child care.

We want to help families access affordable quality care! Please share this new income limit information with your families and encourage them to apply for Wisconsin Shares. Visit the Wisconsin Shares parent webpage and click on Income Eligibility Increase to learn more.

June Child Care Counts Application Period Starts Saturday, June 29

Get ready – the next Child Care Counts Update Week begins in a few days – June 29 – July 7, 2024. Organize your records now so you are ready for Update Week. Providers were notified of their eligibility for funds for their May applications on June 14, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

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: YoungStar Quality Adjustment – Percentages Changing July 2024

The YoungStar quality adjustment provides financial support for 4 and 5 Star providers who care for children enrolled in the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program. The legislature allocated funding to resume the YoungStar quality adjustment, which began in January 2024.

Quality adjustment payments are made up of a percentage of the total dollar amount of subsidy authorizations for a provider for a given month. DCF closely monitors provider payments and available funds to ensure that we get as much funding as possible to providers while staying within the legislatively allocated budget for this program.

  • Between January and February 2024, payment amounts were 13% for 4 Star providers and 26% for 5 Star providers. Between March and June 2024, payments were temporarily increased to 15% for 4 Star providers and 30% for 5 Star providers to maximize provider payments using all remaining funds for State Fiscal Year 2024.

Based on our current projections, adjustment percentages for July 2024 and future months will be readjusted to:

  • 11% for 4 Star providers
  • 22% for 5 Star providers

DCF will continue to monitor spending, and if any changes are needed for state fiscal year 2025, this will be communicated to providers in advance.

Please see the YoungStar Quality Adjustment webpage for more information.

Únase a nuestra sesión virtual de escucha en español

(Join our virtual listening session in Spanish)

El Departamento de Niños y Familias de Wisconsin (DCF) está trabajando para analizar y actualizar YoungStar, el sistema estatal de calificación y mejora de la calidad del cuidado infantil. Queremos saber lo que piensan las familias y los proveedores /educadores de cuidado infantil sobre la calidad del cuidado infantil. Esto informará cómo actualizamos YoungStar.

  • Miércoles, 26 de junio - 6-7:30 p.m. – Español - Sesión de escucha virtual vía Zoom
    Lea el folleto para obtener más detalles.
    Es necesario registrarse. Regístrese para la sesión de escucha del 26 de junio.
    • Qué puede esperar
      • Este programa se impartirá en español.
      • A partir de las 6 p.m., los participantes aprenderán sobre el trabajo de DCF para actualizar YoungStar y se les pedirá que compartan sus ideas sobre la calidad del cuidado infantil.
      • Los educadores de cuidado infantil pueden obtener créditos del Registro de Wisconsin por su participación.

Realice nuestra encuesta.

Reminder: DCF is Hiring Three Positions

Division of Early Care and Education (DECE), Bureau of Early Care Regulation (BECR), is currently recruiting to fill two Licensing/Certification Specialist positions – one in the Western Region (Eau Claire, WI), and one in the Northeastern Region (Green Bay, WI) These positions are comprised primarily of field work requiring on-site, in-person visits approximately 3-4 days per week.

These positions 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. These positions recommend and participate in taking enforcement actions, investigate complaints against illegally operating programs and licensed programs as assigned, and provide technical assistance to individuals or groups involved in child care programs. The deadline to apply for the Western Region position is June 30, and July 1 for the Northeastern Region position.

The BECR Southern Regional Office (SRO) is recruiting to fill a Child Care Licensing Supervisor position in Madison, WI. This position is responsible for providing administrative duties, management, supervision, and leadership to regional licensing staff and resources necessary to carry out the department’s child care licensing mission, objectives, and goals. The position participates in the development of recommendations for state statutory and budget changes, recommends administrative rule revisions, and department program and policy changes.

This position is headquartered at 201 W. Washington Ave in Madison, WI and will have the option to work hybrid for up to 90%. The deadline to apply for the Child Care Licensing Supervisor position is June 30. View all open DCF positions at Wisc.Jobs.

Upcoming Events and Education/Training Opportunities

The below events are hosted by DCF, one of its partners, or is one that may be relevant to the early childhood field. Click/tap on the titles below to learn more about each event.

  • Innovative Partnerships Webinar - The Parenting Place invites you to learn about their innovative partnership with The City of La Crosse which is utilizing The City of La Crosse ARPA funding to address child care challenges by increasing the availability and sustainability of child care in our community. 
    • June 25 – 12 p.m. Registration link.
       
  • Budgeting at Its Best: When Your Heart and Brain Meet Head On and Using Your Program's Protective Gear: Policies, Contracts, and Risk Management – hosted by WECA and YoungStar Connect. Registration details in the information flyer.
    • June 29 | In-Person – Green Bay 
       
  • Bottle Feeding the Breastfed Baby – Free ECHC Webinar – Caring for breastfed babies? Or how best to bottle feed while supporting the breastfeeding relationship? Katie Talmadge, inpatient Lactation Consultant at American Family Children's Hospital, will describe helpful tools to use when caring for breastfed infants in your early childhood education program. Read more about the webinar. Alimentación con biberón para bebés amamantados.
    • July 11 | 1-2 p.m. – Registration link
       
  • YoungStar Connect - Virtual Live Training Opportunities - Take a look at YoungStar Connect's live training calendar to see all available options.