Community Coordinated Child Care

TO ADVOCATE FOR THE WELL BEING OF CHILDREN IN CHILD CARE, AND TO ASSIST THEIR PARENTS, AND THE PROVIDERS WHO CARE FOR THEIR CHILDREN, IN CREATING QUALITY CHILD CARE.

THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP) IS A FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM SPONSORED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE (USDA). IN WISCONSIN, THE CACFP IS ADMINISTERED LOCALLY BY THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION. THE CACFP ADDRESSES THE NUTRITIONAL NEEDS OF YOUNG CHILDREN IN REGULATED FAMILY CHILD CARE THROUGH EDUCATION, PROGRAM OVERSIGHT, AND FINANCIAL REIMBURSEMENT FOR PARTICIPATING CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS IN ORDER TO ENSURE THAT NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS ARE PROVIDED.

FAMILY CHILD CARE CERTIFICATION - THE CERTIFICATION PROGRAM ASSISTS CHILD CARE PROVIDERS IN PARTICIPATING COUNTIES IN OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING STANDARDS OF REGULATION FOR THE HEALTH, SAFETY AND WELL BEING OF CHILDREN IN EARLY CARE. CERTIFICATION STAFF ALSO HELP PROVIDERS SUCCEED IN THEIR BUSINESS PRACTICES BY OFFERING TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE AND SUPPORT.

CHILD CARE TRAINING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - THE 4-C TRAINING & QUALITY IMPROVEMENT DEPARTMENT OFFERS HIGH QUALITY TRAININGS FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD AND SCHOOL AGE CAREGIVING AND EDUCATION PROFESSIONALS. TRAINING EXPERIENCES ARE DESIGNED TO IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE SKILLS, STRATEGIES, PRACTICES, AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE EDUCATOR. TRAININGS ARE REGISTRY APPROVED AND ARE REFLECTIVE OF WISCONSIN'S CORE COMPETENCIES FOR PROFESSIONALS WORKING WITH YOUNG CHILDREN AND THEIR FAMILIES. TRAININGS ARE DESIGNED TO MEET THE DIVERSE NEEDS AND EXPERIENCES OF PARTICIPANTS AS WELL AS REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, YOUNGSTAR, AND CONTINUING EDUCATION.

CHILD CARE RESOURCE AND REFERRAL - THE REFERRAL PROGRAM IS READY TO ASSIST FAMILIES IN LOCATING QUALITY, REGULATED CHILD CARE THROUGH CONSULTATION AND REFERRALS FROM A DATABASE OF OVER 1,000 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS THROUGHOUT COLUMBIA, DANE, DODGE, GREEN, JEFFERSON, ROCK, SAUK, AND WALWORTH COUNTIES. THE PROGRAM GUIDES FAMILIES IN FINDING, SELECTING, AND UTILIZING CHILD CARE BASED ON SPECIFIC NEEDS OF THE FAMILY. THE PROGRAM ALSO OFFERS CORPORATE CHILD CARE PLANNING TO EMPLOYERS TO ASSIST IN ADDRESSING CHILD CARE NEEDS OF THEIR EMPLOYEES AND TO SUPPORT A PLAN FOR SERVICES TO ADDRESS EMPLOYEE NEEDS.4-C PROVIDES DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS FOR CHILDREN IN PARTICIPATING COUNTIES FREE OF CHARGE TO ENSURE CHILDREN ARE DEVELOPING WELL. A SCREENING PROVIDES A QUICK LOOK AT HOW CHILDREN ARE DOING AND CAN HELP IDENTIFY A CHILD'S STRENGTHS AS WELL AS AREAS WHERE A CHILD MAY NEED SUPPORT. THE RESULTS CAN BE USED TO HELP A PARENT OR CAREGIVER TALK WITH PEDIATRICIANS, TEACHERS, OR OTHER PROFESSIONALS IF THEY HAVE CONCERNS ABOUT THE CHILD'S DEVELOPMENT. 4-C ALSO HELPS EDUCATE FAMILIES ON EARLY CHILDHOOD RELATED TOPICS.PLAY & LEARN: SPECIALISTS OFFER GUIDANCE, MODELING AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES TO FAMILIES AND CHILDREN AGES BIRTH TO FIVE YEARS. THERE ARE SEVERAL SITES ACROSS DANE COUNTY AND EACH SITE HAS MATERIALS AND ACTIVITIES THAT SPAN EACH LEARNING DOMAIN: SOCIAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL, COGNITIVE, AND LANGUAGE. FREE DEVELOPMENTAL SCREENINGS ARE OFFERED AS A PART OF THAT PROGRAM TO ENCOURAGE KNOWLEDGE OF DEVELOPMENTAL AND AGE APPROPRIATE SKILLS.PART OF RESOURCE AND REFERRAL PROGRAM: OUR RESOURCE ROOM AND RESOURCES ON THE ROAD VAN PROVIDE EARLY CARE PROFESSIONALS AND FAMILIES WITH A LIBRARY OF HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS FOR USE IN THEIR PROGRAMS.