April 3 Child Care Provider Updates Submit Your 2024-2025 Child Care Immunization Assessment The 2024-2025 Child Care Immunization Assessment Booklet is now available for use by licensed family, group, and day camp programs. The Assessment Booklet contains instructions and all forms in both English and Spanish. You may also download the forms individually from the Immunization Program webpage, under child care requirements. Please submit the required immunization information to the Department of Health Services (DHS) electronically through the REDCap survey by April 30, 2025. The survey closes at 5 p.m. on April 30, 2025, and will not reopen. When you complete the online immunization assessment, the information for your child care program is automatically be sent to your local health department. You do not need to send the local health department a paper copy. A limited number of Child Care Immunization Assessment Booklets are available in paper format. You can request a paper copy of the booklet to be mailed to you by calling 608-267-9959. Note: Certified programs do not receive the assessment. If you have any questions regarding the Immunization Assessment, please email ImmProgram@dhs.wisconsin.gov. March Child Care Counts Closes Soon – Apply Today! Time is running out to apply/update your information for the March Child Care Counts program. The deadline is Sunday, April 13 at 11:59 p.m. Update/Application Week Reminders Once you are approved for payments, you must update your application each month. See the Updating Your Child Care Counts Information During Update Week videoto learn how to make application modifications during Update Week. If you have not yet applied for Round 5, see the Round 5 Application Guidefor information about submitting your initial application. If you need assistance, please email DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov or call and speak with a Support Center Specialist at 608-535-3650, M-F 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Tuesday Talks – March Recording Now Available Did you miss the March Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the March talk featuring the next update in our Licensing Back to Basics series: Noncompliance Statements (CFS-294) and Online Licensing Application Updates is now available in the March 18, 2025 accordion on the Tuesday Talks with DECE Recordings webpage. This is where you can access all the resource links shared during the Talk as well. Tuesday Talks with DECE are held the third Tuesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. The next webinar is Tuesday, April 15 at 1:30 p.m. and the next topics will be Implications for the End of Child Care Counts Survey. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2025 Tuesday Talks. Review: Measles Reminders Childhood diseases like measles can cause children pain and discomfort; which and can lead to hospitalizations and even death. Immunization against measles is the best way to protect young children from serious diseases. Most people who contract measles are unvaccinated. Symptoms of measles include: Fever Runny nose Dry cough Red rash with raised bumps Individuals are contagious from four days before to four days after the rash appears. However, some immunocompromised individuals may not develop a rash. Measles spreads through: Air on droplets of saliva Infected person coughing or sneezing Measles is a communicable disease. If there is a confirmed case of a communicable disease in a child enrolled at a regulated child care program, it must be reported to DCF and your local health department within 24 hours after the program has been notified of the diagnosis. All certified and licensed child care programs must maintain a current written record of each child enrolled at the program. This includes documentation that indicates the child’s immunization history complies with Wis. Stat. §252.04 – Immunization Program. Note: Head Start programs must obtain determinations from health care professionals that a child is up to date on immunization recommendations issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. If you have any questions regarding immunization documentation, contact your assigned Certification Worker or Licensing Specialist. Additional Measles Information Resources Immunizations: Get the Facts About Vaccines | Wisconsin Department of Health Services Immunizations: Measles – Wisconsin Department of Health Services Early Childhood Health Consultation Program WI Department of Health Services Child Care Immunization Record (will meet licensing requirements for immunization documentation) – DHS-F-44192 Wisconsin Childhood Communicable Disease Chart – Wisconsin Department of Health Services Head Start 1302.42 Child health status and care. 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. Virtual: Stress and Resilience: Strengthening Well-Being for Early Childhood Professionals Learn strategies to recognize stressors and explore ways to build resilience in your personal and professional lives. The training aims to support educators in navigating challenges with greater ease and promoting a healthier, more resilient mindset. Virtual live session | April 9 | 12:30 - 2 p.m. Register at the Wisconsin Registry | Registration closes on April 6, 2025 Questions? Contact Nicole Cusimano at ncusimano@youngstarconnect.com Budgeting and Recordkeeping Made Easy: A Three-Part Group Coaching Experience WECA and YoungStar Connect are offering a free virtual group coaching experience focusing on business practices that is open to all regulated child care programs. This series helps participants build strong financial habits through guided discussions, real-world applications, and peer support. Topics include budgeting, revenue and expense tracking, payment agreements, and calculating time-space percentage (FCC). Presented in English. Learn more about the sessions. Family Child Care Cohort | Mondays, April 14, 21, and May 5 | 1-2 p.m. | Register Group Child Care Cohort | Tuesdays, April 15, 22, and May 6 | 1-2 p.m. | Register Raising Mental Health Awareness in Child Care YoungStar Connect welcomes you and others from your program to expand your knowledge of mental health stigma and learn strategies to build a more inclusive, welcoming, and supportive environment for children, families, and staff. Live session April 15 | 1 - 2:30 p.m. | Spanish interpretation is not available. Register at the Wisconsin Registry. Registration closes on April 13, 2025. Questions? Contact Nicole Cusimano at ncusimano@youngstarconnect.com. Teachers, Toddlers, and Tissues ECHC podcast, Episode 25: “Keeping Teeth Healthy” Keeping kid’s teeth clean and healthy is crucial to avoid cavities and more serious complications — but there’s a lot more to oral health than just brushing teeth. It begins even before baby teeth have appeared! Rachel and Dr. Navsaria share the many ways to keep teeth healthy, and why it matters. Listen to the podcast today!
