January 8 Child Care Provider Updates Update on Federal Child Care Funds The Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program continues to serve Wisconsin families accessing quality early care and education. January benefits were loaded onto parents’ MyWIChildCare EBT cards on January 1, and families should use the benefits as usual to pay their authorized child care provider. We are aware of public reporting indicating the federal government has attempted to freeze certain child care funding for several states, reportedly including Illinois, Minnesota, California, Colorado, and New York. At this time, we do not believe Wisconsin programs are impacted by this freeze, however, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) continues to monitor this situation closely and we will review any guidance from the federal government for potential impacts and share information as it becomes available. YoungStar Quality Adjustment – Percentages Changing February 2026 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. On October 1, 2025, the maximum rates that are used to determine monthly subsidy benefit amounts were increased. 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. Beginning with the February 2026 payment and future months, adjustment percentages will be decreased to: 8% for 4 Star providers 16% for 5 Star providers DCF will continue to monitor spending, and if any changes are needed, this will be communicated to providers in advance. Please see the YoungStar Quality Adjustment webpage for more information. New FAQs: Biennial Budget Regulation Changes for Large Family Child Care and Assistant Child Care Teachers DCF has posted new Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to the Biennial Budget Regulation Changes for Large Family Child Care and Assistant Child Care Teachers. These FAQs can be found on the Child Care Rulemaking Project webpage. Reminder: Submit Your Get Kids Ready Intent to Participate by February 1! The Get Kids Ready Intent to Participate for the 2026-27 school year is now available in the DCF Provider Portal and must be submitted by child care providers no later than February 1, 2026. Child care providers who do not submit an Intent to Participate by February 1, 2026, will not be able to participate in Get Kids Ready for the 2026-2027 school year. For more information visit the Get Kids Ready webpage for child care providers. If you have any questions, please submit them through the Get Kids Ready Inquiry form. December Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period is Closed The latest payment program update period is closed. Applications for the December Child Care Bridge Payments are being reviewed. Providers will be notified of their eligibility for funds by January 9, 2026, via a payment letter uploaded to the Child Care Provider Portal. December payment amounts will also be posted to the How Payments are Determined webpage on January 9. The next update/application period is January 17-25, 2026. Support Center Please send your questions to the Child Care Payments mailbox: DCFDECECOVID19CCPayments@wisconsin.gov and include your name, phone number, provider number, and details of your question in your email. A Support Center specialist will reply as soon as possible. Support Center hours are 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F. Caring for Our Children Database Has Moved! The Caring for Our Children database has moved! The free database is now housed through the United States Department of Health and Human Services Office of Child Care. The database includes a set of voluntary, foundational health and safety standards for early care and education programs. The database also includes state requirements through the Child Care Development Fund. Get more information about Caring for Our Children. New Resource: The Wisconsin Local Foods Database! New! Statewide Local Food Resource now includes Early Care and Education (ECE). The Wisconsin Local Foods Database connects schools, child care programs, and farmers together to help programs purchase local foods. The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI), Wisconsin Department of Public Health (DHS), and the Wisconsin Early Childhood Association (WECA) are excited that the resource now includes ECE programs to facilitate hyper-local connections between child care programs and farmers. Visit the database to learn more, and enter your program into the database to let farmers in your area know you are interested in local purchasing. Add your program to the Wisconsin Local Food Database today to connect to local foods! 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. Child Care Foundational Trainings – Parents Place Fundamentals of Infants & Toddlers – Foundational knowledge and skills training as you begin, or consider a career caring for infants and toddlers. January 12 - March 23 – Evenings | $150 Skills & Strategies for the Child Care Teacher – Prepare to be successful in the role of a lead child care teacher in a child care setting. January 20 - March 24 – Mornings | $150 Register and get more information Please contact Ann-Marie St John with any questions. 262-549-5575 or astjohn@parentsplacewi.org Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026, Helping Kids Thrive When Life Gets Tough Life can be tough sometimes, and kids feel it too. This conference will share simple, practical ways parents, caregivers, and professionals can help children cope with challenges, build strength, and grow through hard times. Spanish interpretation can be requested. February 4, 2026 | Free virtual event | 6 hours CEUs for child care providers More information and registration is at Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026 – Parenting and Family Relationships
