February 12 Child Care Provider Updates Get Ready for the February Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period The next update/application period is February 14-22. 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. 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. Application Resources Update Week Guide – step-by-step instructions for updating and re-submitting your application Submitting Your Child Care Bridge Payments Application Guide – instructions for submitting a new application Uploading Documents to the Child Care Provider Portal Guide 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. Reminder: Public Hearings on Draft Child Care Rule Revisions The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) is holding two public hearings on proposed administrative rule changes. Hearing 1: February 18, 2026, via Zoom, at 2 p.m. The purpose of the public hearing is to solicit verbal or written comments from the public on two of DCF’s proposed rules affecting chs. DCF 202, 250, 251, and 252, relating to child care certification and licensing compliance with federal CCDF requirements and biennial budget licensing rule changes. See the Child Care Rulemaking Projects webpage for complete details about the rule changes. Wednesday, February 18 | 2 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting Join by phone: 1-312-626-6799 or 1-651-372-8299 Meeting ID: 733 390 2328 Written comments may be submitted by email to dcfpublichearing@wisconsin.gov. Written comments must be received on or before February 18, 2026. Hearing 2: February 19, 2026, via Zoom, at 2.pm. The purpose of the public hearing it to solicit verbal or written comments from the public on DCF’s proposed rule affecting ch. DCF 201, relating to child care subsidy compliance with federal CCDF requirements and other updates. See the complete details about the rule change. Thursday, February 19 | 2 p.m. Join the Zoom meeting Join by phone: 1-312-626-6799 or 1-651-372-8299 Meeting ID: 733 390 2328 Written comments may be submitted by email to dcfpublichearing@wisconsin.gov. Written comments must be received on or before February 19, 2026. 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. 2026 ECE Conference – Big Emotions, Brave Educators: Learning, Growing, Thriving Join Childcaring for a day dedicated to learning, connection, and inspiration for early childhood professionals! Saturday, February 28, 2026 | 8:30 a.m.-3:45 p.m. | Northcentral Technical College – Wausau Campus. Register by February 13 Learn more and register today. Direct questions to NTC at: ce@ntc.edu or 715-803-1243. 2026 Early Childhood Conference: Lyrics and Learning The 2026 Early Childhood Conference, Lyrics and Learning: Harmonizing Language, Literacy & Learning for Little Learners, will be held at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and brings together early childhood professionals for a day of engaging, hands-on learning. February 28, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Visit wisconsinchild.org for details. | Register online. Questions? Contact Northwest Connection Family Resources at 714-634-2299. Registration is Open for the 2026 Promoting Early Childhood (PEC) Conference! March 4-6, 2026 | Hyatt Regency | Green Bay, WI Theme: Beneath Behavior: Innovative Strategies and Practices for Understanding and Responding to Children’s Needs. Visit the PEC 2026 Conference webpage for details/registration PEC is specifically designed for educators working with children ages 3 through 3rd grade Questions? Contact Tiffany Swain at swaint@cesa5.org Building Leaders: A Directors Collaborative This program brings directors and program leaders together each month to share ideas, talk through challenges, and connect with others who understand the realities of the role. Live sessions begin March 19 and are held monthly from 12:30-2 p.m. Register through the Wisconsin Registry. Visit the YoungStar Connect Training Calendar for upcoming sessions. For more information, Contact Mary Niec at mniec@youngstarconnect.com. CCR&R Annual Conference – Be Amazing: From Stressed to Joyful Gain the essential tools to prioritize your well-being, live inspired, and truly thrive while making your most amazing contributions to others! March 28, 2026 | 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton. Register before March 1 for the early bird cost of only $40! Conference flyer | Register online Visit Child Care Resource and Referral's website for more information.
