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COVID-19 Information for Parents and Providers

Finding Child Care During COVID-19

If you are an essential worker in need of child care, submit this form to DCF indicating your need and you will be contacted shortly with information about your local child care options. For immediate help or guidance finding child care, contact Child Care Partnership at 715-450-9086 or email ccp@wdeoc.org.

As schools and some child care programs close due to COVID-19, many parents are turning to family, friends, or neighbors for child care. This can be an excellent solution with proper preparation and precautions. Here are some tips for placing your child in the care of a family member, friend, or neighbor.

Talking to Children about COVID-19

• Triple P Tip Sheet for Supporting Young Children Through COVID-19
• How to Talk to Children About What's Happening
• Book (PDF) Explaining Coronavirus to Young Children (available in multiple languages)

Information for Child Care Providers

Child Care Providers are essential to our communities. Your dedication and hard work has never been more obvious than during this time of crisis.

DCF has issued guidance for providers during COVID-19, including definitions of essential workers, policy templates, and Wisconsin Shares information.

• Please update your information in the Provider Portal to show your open status and how many spots you have available for children of essential workers. Instructions on how to update your information can be found here.
• If your program is closing but you are interested in caring for the children of essential workers by working at another program or offering in-home care, fill out this survey.
• Up-to-date information about COVID-19 in Wisconsin
• No Kid Hungry grant request for assistance providing meals to children
• 211 can help connect you to local supplies and resources in your community

Financial Assistance for Child Care Providers During COVID-19

• Child Care Counts: COVID-19 Emergency Payment Program The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families (DCF) is supporting the growing demand for child care access for essential workforce families by assisting in the launch of a number of payment programs to support child care providers. Be sure to check out their webpage for more information and application instructions.
• The Western Wisconsin Women's Business Center is available if you have questions, would like to discuss your options, or need help applying for funding.
• Financial Resources to help get through COVID-19
• Emergency Funding Resources for Child Care Providers
• The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened applications to Wisconsin businesses for economic disaster loans
• If you are an employee, the Department of Workforce Development can help you understand your rights filing for unemployment if you have been laid off, fired, or had your hours reduced. Certain requirements have been waived.

Should I Close My Program?

Child Care Programs should make their own decisions about whether they close or remain open. Child Care Aware of America has created a flowchart to help providers make this difficult decision. The Wisconsin Department of Children and Families is currently encouraging child care providers to remain open if they are caring or the children of essential workers.

If you do decide to close during COVID-19, we recommend you:

1. Contact your insurance company. Some insurance policies include information about when you may close and what the effects will be.
2. Update your information in the Provider Portal to show you are closing and should not receive referrals until you reopen. Instructions on how to update your information can be found here.
3. If you are still interested in caring for the children of essential workers by working at another program or offering in-home care, please fill out this survey.