March 26 Child Care Provider Updates Reminder: Beware of Fake Email Requesting Information Verification The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been made aware of a fake email being sent to child care providers who submitted an Intent to Participate in Get Kids Ready, requesting information verification and threatening license revocation. This is a spam/fake email. The most recent reported email had a subject line of Child Care Providers 2026-27 School Year Contact List Information Update. This email was not sent out by DCF, and you should not reply to it or click on any of the links. If you have already replied or clicked on any links, notify your IT department or service person immediately. Ways to Spot Phishing Emails Suspicious Sender Address – check the sender address and make sure it’s really coming from who it says it’s coming from. Hover (don’t click) your cursor on the sender address and it will show who it is really coming from. Note: Any email that DCF sends out will come from an email address ending in “wisconsin.gov”. If the sender email address does not end in “wisconsin.gov” then it is not from DCF. Spoofed web links – it is possible that a link in an email appears to go to a safe, familiar website, but actually directs you to a malicious website. Never click on a questionable link sent from an email. Spelling, grammar, layout – phishing emails often have poor grammar, sentence structure, spelling errors, and formatting issues. Reputable organizations generally send professional communications. Suspicious attachments – be skeptical of unsolicited emails containing attachments. Scammer’s emails sometimes contain attachments that are actually malware. Never click on an attachment from an unknown source. Threats or a false sense of urgency – phishing emails often try to persuade a user to act by trying to convey a sense of urgency. They warn of dire consequences unless you follow their instructions or lure you with false promises. March Child Care Bridge Payments Update Period Closes Soon – Apply Today! Time is running out to complete required updates on your March Child Care Bridge Payments application. The deadline is Sunday, March 29 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 Update Week Guide – step-by-step instructions for updating and re-submitting your 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. 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. Parent’s Place Child Care Foundational Trainings – Daytime and Evening Classes Introduction to the Child Care Profession provides foundational knowledge and skills training for individuals as they begin, or consider, a career in caring for children. April - June | Evenings | $150 Fundamentals of Infants & Toddlers - Foundational knowledge and skills training as you begin, or consider, a career caring for infants and toddlers. April - June | Daytime | $150 For more information and to register visit the Parent’s Place website. Questions? Contact Ann-Marie St John with any questions: 262-549-5575 or astjohn@parentsplacewi.org
