January 15 Child Care Provider Updates Get Ready for the January Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period The next update/application period is January 17-25. Organize your records now so you are ready for the next Child Care Bridge Payments Update/Application Week. You must review and update your application every month. See the Child Care Payments Calendar for future Count and Update Weeks. Update Week Application Resources Submitting Your Child Care Bridge Payments Application Guide Update Week Guide – step-by-step instructions for updating and re-submitting your application Uploading Documents to the Child Care Provider Portal Guide Reminder: the Child Care Bridge Payments end June 28, 2026 and final payments will be posted on July 10, 2026. DCF encourages all eligible child care providers to continue submitting monthly applications through the end of the program. 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. January is Radon Action Month! Governor Tony Evers has declared January as National Radon Action Month (NRAM) in Wisconsin, which is also observed each January by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. About one out of 10 homes in Wisconsin have high radon levels, which can increase the chances of developing lung cancer. Any home or building can be susceptible to radon. Licensed family and group child care centers are required to test for radon every two (2) years for residential buildings and every five (5) years for commercial buildings. During National Radon Action Month, individuals are eligible to purchase reduced-cost test kits through Wisconsin Radon Information Centers. Reminder: continuous radon detection monitors do not meet the licensing requirement for testing for radon. The only way to ensure that a continuous detection monitor is still working properly is through regular testing. If you have questions about radon, you can get in touch with a radon expert by calling 888-LOW-RADON (888-569-7236). If you have questions regarding testing requirements for licensed child care programs, please contact your assigned Licensing Specialist. Additional Radon Information Resources Wisconsin DHS - Radon Information for Wisconsin United States Environmental Protection Agency - National Radon Action Month Information Wisconsin Radon Information Centers Tuesday Talks – December Recording Now Available and Join Us in January Did you miss the December Tuesday Talks with DECE? The recording for the December talk on Get Kids Ready and the Ratios and Enhanced Payments Pilots is now available in the December 16, 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, January 20 at 1:30 p.m. and will be continue the conversation on Get Kids Ready and the Ratios and Enhanced Payments Pilots, with extended time for questions and answers at the end. Visit the DCF Tuesday Talks with DECE webpage to access the Zoom link and calendar invitation for the 2026 Tuesday Talks series. Watch for Your 1099 Form from FIS It's tax time! If you accept Wisconsin Shares at your child care program or you have received Child Care Counts or Child Care Bridge Payment funds, you will receive a 1099 form for 2025 from Fidelity National Information Services (FIS). Watch for yours in the mail. 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. Check out the Get Kids Ready webpage for child care providers for full program details including: Important Dates Eligibility Requirements for Child Care Providers Information on the Intent to Participate Information on Child Enrollment Frequently Asked Questions Resources, including the Intent to Participate Submission Guide If you have any questions after you have reviewed the website, please submit them through the Get Kids Ready Inquiry form. 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. Director Leadership Cohorts (Free) with 4C for Children Virtual Sessions | January 15 through May 21, 2026 In-person session | June 25, 2026 (final session) Sessions meet monthly from 6-7 p.m. Register today! | See the Director Leadership Cohort flyer for complete details. Are you interested in becoming a Trainer and/or Technical Assistance Professional? Thriving Wisconsin is offering the T-TA Professional Course Series, designed to help you build the skills and knowledge needed to support early childhood professionals across Wisconsin. First course starts January 20 | Explore the course series. Review course dates, expectations, and training polices before registering. For more information contact: amanda@thrivingwi.org. Stress and Resilience: Strengthening Well-Being for Early Childhood Professionals This YoungStar Connect course offers early childhood educators strategies to recognize stressors and explore ways to build resilience in both their personal and professional Live session | January 23 | 1-2:30 p.m. Register through the Wisconsin Registry. Registration closes on January 20, Questions? Contact Kalli Leu at kleutenegger@youngstarconnect.com.
