October 10 Child Care Provider Updates

Reminder: Beware of Fake Email Requesting Information Verification

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been made aware of a fake email being sent to some child care providers requesting information verification and threatening license revocation. This is a spam/fake email.

This email was not sent out by DCF, and you should not reply to it or click on any of the links. If you have already replied or clicked on any links, notify your IT department or service person immediately.

Below is an example of the language that was included in the spam/fake email:

Subject: 2024 Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Information Verification

2024 Wisconsin Department of Children and Families Information Verification

Dear [child care provider name]

Kindly confirm if the below information about you is correct and up to date.

This is a final awareness for information verification.

Note: This secure verification link below will expire after 24 hours. We will have to revoke your license if we do not receive your verification/update before the link expires.

Ways to Spot Phishing Emails

  1. Suspicious Sender Address – check the sender address and make sure it’s really coming from who it says it’s coming from. Hover (don’t click) your cursor on the sender address and it will show who it is really coming from.
  2. Spoofed web links – it is possible that a link in an email appears to go to a safe, familiar website, but actually directs you to a malicious website. Never click on a questionable link sent from an email.
  3. Spelling, grammar, layout – phishing emails often have poor grammar, sentence structure, spelling errors, and formatting issues. Reputable organizations generally send professional communications.
  4. Suspicious attachments – be skeptical of unsolicited emails containing attachments. Scammer’s emails sometimes contain attachments that are actually malware. Never click on an attachment from an unknown source.
  5. Threats or a false sense of urgency – phishing emails often try to persuade a user to act by trying to convey a sense of urgency. They warn of dire consequences unless you follow their instructions or lure you with false promises.

Who Do I Contact If…? New Resource Available!

Looking for information or assistance related to DCF child care resources and programming? Check out our new “Who do I contact if…?” resources on the DCF website and available for download as a PDF.

There are two resources available, one for parents/caregivers and one for child care providers. Each resource contains a list of webpages, phone numbers, and email addresses to help you find the answers you are looking for when it comes to DCF resources and programming in the Division of Early Care and Education (DECE).

Tuesday Talks: Join us Tuesday, October 15

The next Tuesday Talks with DECE webinar is this coming Tuesday, October 15 at 1:30 p.m. and we will be talking about Child Care Foundational Training and Wisconsin Shares.

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.

Learn more about Tuesday Talks on the DCF website. 

October is SIDS Awareness Month 

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is the death of a baby less than one year of age, usually during sleep, for an unknown reason. Sudden unexpected infant death (SUID) is the death a baby under one year of age for an unknown reason that happens during sleep or in the area where they sleep. SUID includes SIDS, as well as accidental suffocation or strangulation in bed or bed area by blankets or other objects. SUID is the leading cause of injury death in infancy, with approximately 3,500 infant deaths each year.

To reduce the risk of sleep-related infant death share this important information with families and caregivers:

  • Place infants on their backs for sleep in their own sleep space with no other people.
  • Use a crib, bassinet, or portable play yard with a firm, flat mattress and a fitted sheet. Avoid sleep on a couch or armchair or in a seating device, like a swing or car safety seat (except while riding in the car).
  • Keep loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, bumpers and other soft items out of the sleep space.
  • Breastfeed if possible and avoid smoking.

Learn more about reducing the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related infant deaths.

Keep it bare. Keep it safe. Keep it simple. Clear the crib.

Looking for a fun way to educate parents, caregivers or staff? Watch the Clear the Crib to Reduce the Risk of Sleep-Related Infant Death video and participate in the clear the crib challenge.

September Child Care Counts Application Period is Closed

The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the September Child Care Counts: Stabilization Payment Program are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by October 18, 2024, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal.

The next update period is October 26 – November 3, 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.

Reminder: It’s BIF Season! Complete Yours Today!

If you have not yet had a chance to do so, please complete the Business Information Form (BIF) that was sent to your email. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your local CCR&R Agency.

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.