When YoungStar was approved on June 23, the bi-partisan Joint Committee on Finance approved $5.6 million to be immediately provided to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) for a variety of services. Within this $5.6 million, $1.5 million was allocated for immediate training and technical assistance activities in 12 select counties throughout the state. These extra trainings are designed to prepare the early childhood workforce for the start of the full YoungStar program in late 2010 or early 2011. Immediate training/technical assistance will be on a variety of topics including: WMELS (WI Model Early Learning Standards), SEFEL (Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning) pyramid model, accreditation support, health & safety, and business practices.
To learn more about what training and technical assistance will be available– and where- attend a Q&A Session hosted by DCF. Secretary Reggie Bicha will be traveling across the state and meeting with child care providers to announce this array of NEW YoungStar Trainings.
Plan to attend a meeting that fits your schedule and locale:
• KENOSHA
Monday, August 9 10am
Almost Home Academy – 1760 22nd Ave.
• MILWAUKEE
Monday, August 9 2pm
Child Development Center of St. Joseph – 1600 West Oklahoma Ave.
• RACINE
Wednesday, August 11 5pm
Next Generation Now – 1220 Mound Ave.
• JANESVILLE
Thursday August 12 1pm
Community Day Care Center Inc. – 3103 Ruger Ave.
• LACROSSE
Friday August 13 1pm
Bluffside Day Care Center – 2910 Gillette Street
More sessions to come!
To RSVP send an email to Julie Schultz at DCF.
Keep up-to-date on YoungStar trainings in your area by following our blog, signing up for our Professional Development eNews, and visiting the YoungStar section of DCF’s website here. WECA is committed to providing accurate information and assistance on YoungStar to all early childhood professionals across the state. Please visit our resource page here or check out our webinars that describe each of the YoungStar sections here. These resources were created to help programs decide what they can do now to prepare for YoungStar ratings.
WECA 
Will there be any trainings in central or northeastern Wisconsin?
Thanks for this question Michelle. The 12 counties that were selected by the Joint Finance Committee to receive immediate training and technical assistance include some central and northern counties. The 12 counties are: Iron, Washburn, Marathon, Wood, Eau Claire, La Crosse, Dane, Rock, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Racine, and Kenosha. Providers from these counties will be prioritized in immediate trainings, but depending on the format/location/capacity of the trainings, providers from other areas may also be able to participate. Keep checking our blog and website for updates about the specific trainings that will be available.
Are there going to be meetings in the evening when most of of providers can attend?
I wish these trainings and technical assistance programs are held at night. It doesn’t make any sense to hold them during the day. When are family child care providers suppose to come and attend these.
Jessica
Good question Jessica. These meetings are just to announce what training and technical assistance programs will be held during the next months. If you can’t attend an announcement, we will have a list of these training options available on our website soon. Many of the actual training and technical assistance opportunities will be held in the evenings and on weekends.