November 20 Child Care Provider Updates

Note: There will be no listserv messages on November 27 due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Our regular publishing schedule will resume December 4, 2025.

Use DCF’s New Online Roadmap to Child Care Regulation to Navigate Becoming Licensed or Certified!

Thinking about becoming a certified or licensed child care provider but don’t know where to start? Use our new online Roadmap to Child Care Regulation! This interactive tool helps aspiring child care providers navigate the steps to becoming regulated. Just choose your path (licensing or certification) and get started! If you need to take a break, you can select the “Save and Return Later” link to get an email of your current spot and then just pick back up where you left off when you are ready. Read more about this new online tool in a recent press release from Gov. Evers.

New 2025-27 Biennial Budget FAQs: Get Kids Ready

DCF is working to provide information about implementation of the child care provisions of the 2025-27 Biennial Budget as quickly as possible. We recently posted new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Get Kids Ready program. These FAQs can be found on the Get Kids Ready webpages.

Child Care Basics: Immunization Requirements

We’ve received questions about the differences between Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Department of Health Services (DHS) immunization requirements. We’ve also received questions about whether requirements can be eliminated or waived through an exemption process. DCF and DHS created a publication explaining each agency’s requirements and answering frequently asked questions. Read the Child Care Basics: Immunization Requirements publication available on DCF’s Publications webpage.

See Additional DCF/DHS Immunization Resources

Infant Botulism Outbreak / Infant Formula Recall

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), public health officials in several states, the California Department of Public Health Infant Botulism Treatment and Prevention Program, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, are investigating a multistate outbreak of infant botulism linked to ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula.

The recall includes all lot numbers, sizes of cans and single serve sticks of ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula. Parents and caregivers should stop using all ByHeart Whole Nutrition infant formula immediately. View more information on this outbreak and FAQs for parents on the Wisconsin Department of Health Services outbreak webpage.

November Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period Closes Soon – Apply Today!

Time is running out to complete required updates on your November Child Care Bridge Payments application. 

The deadline is Sunday, November 23 at 11:59 p.m.

How to Apply

The Child Care Bridge Payments application is available in the Child Care Provider Portal. If you have not yet applied for Child Care Bridge Payments, see the Application Guide for information about submitting your initial application.

Update Week Reminders

  • Once you are approved for payments, you must update your application every month. Please be sure to review any information that is copied over from the previous month and update all new information as required.
  • Upload verification documents only if needed
    • This includes child and staff records, if updates are needed.
  • If your program was closed for the entire count week (for example, seasonal closures) or if you no longer wish to receive payments, you must withdraw your application during Update Week.
     

Application Resources

Support Center Update

We are currently transitioning our support center phone line operations. We are unable to answer incoming phone calls at this time, and can only accept voicemails.

For a faster response, please send your questions to the Child Care Payments mailbox: DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov

If you are unable to email, please leave your message at 608-535-3650. Please be sure to leave your name, phone number, provider number, and details of your question in your message. Your call will be returned by a Support Center specialist as soon as possible.

Support Center hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F.

Reminder: Your Business Information Form (BIF) is Due by 11/30/25

Friendly Reminder: All Business Information Forms (BIF) need to be completed by November 30, 2025. Thank you to everyone who has already completed their BIF.

If you have not completed your BIF, please monitor your email for communications from your local Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) agency for a link to the survey. It is important to capture a complete and accurate picture of the status of child care, statewide.

If you have questions or need support completing your BIF, please reach out to your local CCR&R and they will be happy to assist you.

Not sure who to contact? Call Thriving Wisconsin at 1-888-713-KIDS and we will connect you to your local CCR&R. Your Voice Matters, Complete Your BIF Today!

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.

  • Get Support with Challenging Behaviors
    • Searching for quality social and emotional resources? YoungStar Connect Social and Emotional Support Email is now live, staffed with expert social and emotional specialists. Email for assistance at SEsupport@youngstarconnect.com
    • Questions about how this works? Contact Nicole Cusimano at ncusimano@youngstarconnect.com.
       
  • Family and Childcare Resources of NEW is Moving!
    • Family and Childcare Resources of Northeast Wisconsin (FCRNEW) is excited to announce its upcoming move to a new location. Beginning February 2, 2026, FCRNEW will operate out of its new facility at 414 S Jefferson Street in Green Bay Wisconsin.
    • The 201 W Walnut Street location will close to the public on December 10, and services will be available by appointment only until FCRNEW reopens at the new location on February 2, 2026. Read more about the move.