Press Releases

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) today announced the award of over $20 million in Project Growth grants to 28 cross-sector community teams and over 100 businesses to help solve the challenges facing Wisconsin’s child care system and bolster the state’s economy.

The Merrill Community Sharing Garden, run by Community Action Inc., (CAI) of Walworth & Rock Counties, was honored with the 24th annual Governor’s Award for Excellence in Community Action during the annual Wisconsin Community Action Program Association (WISCAP) meeting held virtually on May 17, 2022.

First Lady Kathy Evers and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson honored six outstanding families and two foster youth during the 2022 Governor’s Foster Care Award ceremony on May 24, 2022, in the Assembly Chamber of the State Capitol.

Dropping a son or daughter off at a child care center never gets easier for parents, but thanks to the dedication, love and care from child care providers, parents are able to ease their minds as they head to work to support their families. From center directors and staff to family child care providers, the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) joins agencies across the nation on May 6 in recognizing these outstanding individuals on National Provider Appreciation Day.

Today there are over 6,800 Wisconsin children in out-of-home care, with 87% being in a home setting thanks to the dedication and support of foster parents, relatives, and family friends. To raise awareness and acknowledge the collective efforts of those involved with foster care, Governor Evers has proclaimed May as Foster Care Month.

Child abuse and neglect are pervasive – yet preventable – issues affecting communities across Wisconsin. To raise awareness and acknowledge the collective efforts of families, caregivers, communities, and agencies preventing child maltreatment, Governor Tony Evers has proclaimed April as Family Strengthening Month. 

In recognition of Gov. Tony Evers declaring March as Social Work Month in Wisconsin, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) honored the efforts of five human service professionals with the 2022 Caring for Kids award.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) opened applications today for Project Growth, a $20 million grant program designed to help solve the challenges facing Wisconsin’s child care system and bolster the state’s economy.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced plans for additional programs aimed at supporting Wisconsin’s early care and education (ECE) industry and the families it serves. The programs, which are funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will run until 2024 and focus on increasing access to high-quality, affordable child care and supporting the ECE workforce.

Many Wisconsin Shares families will see an increase in their subsidy amount this month thanks to a historic rate increase from 35 to 80 percent of the estimated cost of child care. The increase, which went into effect on January 1, 2022, will impact roughly 98 percent of Wisconsin Shares families, with the average increase around $190 per month.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) has closed the application process for the Living Independently Through Financial Empowerment (LIFE) program and will begin distribution of the $14 million of emergency funds allocated to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) of 2021. The LIFE program received strong interest from domestic violence survivors with over 4,000 applications in process, which fulfills the program funding available. The funds are scheduled to be distributed to approved applicants over the coming weeks.

The strain brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic and the aligned economic challenge have increased the risks and severity of abuse many domestic violence survivors are experiencing. To support families whose safety is at risk, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has launched the Living Independently Through Financial Empowerment (LIFE) program using emergency funding allocated to the state through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.

The Department of Children and Families is launching a redesigned Child Care Counts payment program to support Wisconsin’s early care and education community. Under the new program, regulated child care providers will be eligible to receive monthly payments through 2023, giving them the stability they need to stay open and continue to care for children. Applications for the new program will open on Monday, November 8, 2021.

Wisconsin has started to resettle Afghan individuals across the state and will continue to do so over the coming months as part of Operation Allies Welcome. Given the influx of arrivals and lack of storage space, local agencies are in critical need of monetary donations to assist these individuals in building their new homes and lives. Wisconsinites interested in helping can donate to any of the six refugee resettlement agencies in Wisconsin.

The Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse, in partnership with Governor Tony Evers and the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, honored three individuals for their contributions in the fight against domestic violence during a special virtual ceremony held today. The ceremony was hosted as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a statewide effort to raise awareness about the effects of domestic abuse.

Chief Judge Pamela Pepper of the United States Federal Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin approved ending the Consent Decree in Jeanine B. v. Evers and Department of Children and Families. The Settlement Agreement has facilitated substantial improvement of the child welfare services provided to Milwaukee County’s children and families and assisted in the development of strong and lasting community partnerships.

To support older foster youth who have aged out of care, the federal government passed the Supporting Foster Youth and Families Through the Pandemic Act in December 2020. Under this act, foster youth who live in Wisconsin and who have aged out of care can access pandemic relief funds to get financial support with rent, utility bills, transportation, groceries, and other basic needs.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is launching another round of the Child Care Counts Payment programs to support Wisconsin’s early care and education community. The programs will consist of two application periods, with the first period opening on Monday, April 19, 2021.

The ​Department of Children and Families (DCF) has awarded roughly $850,000 in Community Innovation Grants (CIG) to eight organizations across the state to expand available early care and education opportunities for young children ages birth to five and their families. The grants, which are funded from the state’s Preschool Development Grant – Birth to 5 (PDG B-5) award, ranged in size from $50,000 to $150,000.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has awarded $290,000 to tribal early childhood education and tribal Head Start programs to support American Indian language revitalization.

Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson released the following statement in reaction to the introduction of Governor Evers’ 2021-23 biennial budget.

Governor Tony Evers and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Emilie Amundson today announced a 21 percent increase in Wisconsin Shares rates for families across Wisconsin. The rate increase will last through the 2021 state fiscal year and apply to qualifying families with children from birth through three years of age.

Today, the Department of Children and Families (DCF), in collaboration with Children’s Rights, began the process of seeking court approval to end the Jeanine B. legal settlement agreement governing DCF’s child welfare work in Milwaukee County.

Last week while hoping to lose myself in Facebook memes, I came across a thread I couldn’t ignore. Early care educators sharing tips on how to make sure they do not put our children at risk by making unsafe choices during the holidays. These individuals, many of whom have been working straight through the pandemic, are still putting our children and their health and safety above everything else in their personal lives

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) opened applications today for a new grant program – Community Innovation Grants (CIG) – designed to expand available early care and education opportunities for young children ages birth to five and their families. The grants are funded from the state’s Preschool Development Grant – Birth to 5 (PDG B-5) award.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) issued a request for proposal (RFP) for case management services for the Milwaukee child welfare system. Consistent with state procurement requirements, DCF is conducting a competitive RFP procurement process for the next round of these contracts.

Wisconsin’s county and tribal child support agencies play an important role in the well-being of over 370,000 children in the state. During these unprecedented times, this role has become even more critical as parents, both custodial and non-custodial, struggle to meet the basic needs of their families. To help fill the growing need in their communities, child support agencies across the state are working to expand access to assistive services and finding ways to give back to those who need it most.

Wisconsin's early care and education industry is nearing crisis point. To some of you, that statement is not a surprise to read. Sadly, we've been hurtling down this path long before the pandemic struck. We need a rapid course correction, or we stand to lose about a third of our child care providers, which could spell trouble for our entire economy.

July 30, 2020 Contact: Thomas McCarthy or Gina Paige, 608-422-7800 or dcfmedia@wisconsin.gov

The Department of Children and Families (DCF), Feeding Wisconsin, Baby2Baby, United Way of Wisconsin, and United Way of Dane County have teamed up to secure and deliver supplies to providers in need.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced a new visual identity that includes a new logo, color scheme, and website. The rebrand reflects DCF’s vision that all Wisconsin children and youth are safe and loved members of thriving families and communities.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) awarded just over $32 million to 2,367 early care and education providers through the first period of the Child Care Counts: COVID-19 Emergency Payment Program. The application window for the second period of funding opens today.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) awarded a $350,000 contract to The Literacy Lab’s Leading Men Fellowship to grow and diversify the educator pipeline by engaging young men of color in early care and education careers.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) was approved to begin a $51 million payment program to support Wisconsin’s early care and education community. The funding comes as part of the state’s federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) monies.

With about 7,300 children and youth in foster care throughout Wisconsin, foster families play a critical role in the lives of children who need a temporary home. To highlight their efforts and bring awareness to the need for additional kind, responsible adults to serve as foster families, Gov. Tony Evers has proclaimed May as Foster Care Month in Wisconsin.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) submitted a formal request today to the Joint Committee on Finance (JFC) to use $51 million to support Wisconsin’s early care and education community. The funding comes as part of the federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

As Wisconsin keeps physically healthy by staying Safer at Home, children have fewer interactions with many of the professionals trained to observe and mandated to report suspected child abuse. It is critical now, more than ever, for families, friends, and neighbors to be aware of the signs of child abuse and neglect and to know how to report those signs to their local child welfare agencies.

Today, Governor Tony Evers issued Emergency Order #26, suspending administrative rules for the Department of Children and Families (DCF) to keep child care opportunities available to critical staff while ensuring the safety of agency staff working with those facilities. The order provides DCF with flexibility on several requirements for child care providers operating group, family, and in-home settings, as well as a number of requirements for the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program.

Proposals from Governor Evers would provide immediate help for families and communities managing the COVID-19 health emergency. The funding and program changes provide necessary to support child care providers, child welfare workers, and essential workers responding to the health emergency.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) launched two new tools to connect essential workforce families to local, safe child care. Healthcare workers and essential employees can now submit a request for care through the department’s updated Child Care Finder or proactively view up-to-date availability across the state using the department’s new child care map.

MADISON – The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is coordinating efforts to find child care for families of workers providing vital service to the state’s COVID-19 response. Child care available remains one of the top concerns to keeping health providers and essential employees at work.

DCF and DHS services in Coggs Building and Milwaukee Child Protective Services Building closed to the public Agen

Next week, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) will begin two efforts to support the Preschool Development Grant (PDG). Regional listening sessions open to the public will be hosted in Beloit and Wausau to gather public feedback. Also, the Leadership Council on Early Years (LCEY) will host its first meeting at the United Community Center (UCC) in Milwaukee. The PDG is a one-year federal grant which allows Wisconsin to complete a needs assessment and a strategic plan to improve early care and education.

The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) honored five adoptive families today with the 2019 Governor’s Outstanding Adoptive Award. The awards were presented during a special celebration at the State Capitol as part of Wisconsin’s month-long recognition of National Adoption Month.

The Governor’s Council on Domestic Abuse, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Children and Families, honored two individuals for their contributions to assisting survivors of domestic violence in a special ceremony held today at the state Capitol.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) will host listening sessions on the Division of Milwaukee Child Protective Services' (DMCPS) case management contracts over the coming weeks. The sessions are designed to gather public input which may be used in the development of the competitive procurement for new case management contracts.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced today the funding amounts for the 2019-20 Children and Families Allocation (CFA) paid to counties. The figures reflect the increase to the CFA made through the 2019-21 state budget.

The seventh annual Foster Youth Graduation Celebration was held today at the Executive Residence to honor a special group of Wisconsin students.

Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes, First Lady Kathy Evers and Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary-designee Emilie Amundson honored five outstanding foster families and a foster youth during the 2019 Governor’s Foster Care Award ceremony on May 28, 2019, in the Assembly Chamber of the State Capitol.

Governor Tony Evers today announced that Wisconsin was named a winner of the Pritzker Children’s Initiative (PCI) Prenatal-to-Age-Three State Grant Competition. Awards went to cross-sector coalitions in 11 states to develop and strengthen high-quality prenatal-to-age-three services.

April is Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention Month as proclaimed by Governor Tony Evers. The month provides an opportunity to acknowledge the collective efforts of families, caregivers, communities, and agencies preventing child maltreatment.

DCF Secretary-designee Emilie Amundson presented the 2019 Caring for Kids awards during a ceremony at the State Capitol. The six awardees represent Lutheran Social Services, University of Wisconsin – Madison’s School of Social Work, and Milwaukee, Racine and Winnebago counties. The individuals exemplify dedication and passion in service to the people of their communities.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary-designee Emilie Amundson appointed agency administrators and policy advisors today.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary-designee Emilie Amundson announced a new round of appointments to hear leadership team today.

The Milwaukee Early Care Administration (MECA) is changing its call center and walk-in hours for the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy program starting Thursday, February 21, 2019. The newly observed hours of operation will impact Thursday afternoons.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) announced today that funding for Wisconsin Shares child care subsidies, Wisconsin Works (W-2) payments, and Kinship Care payments will continue despite the federal government shutdown.

Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary-designee Emilie Amundson announced today her first appointments to her leadership team.