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Child Care Assistance

Health & Human Service  /  Economic Support  /  Child Care Assistance

Child Care Assistance

Child Care Assistance (Wisconsin Shares Program) helps low-income working families pay for their child care. Assistance can be provided to families with children up to the age of 13. In special circumstances, children over the age of 13 may be eligible. Families must be income eligible and be in a qualifying activity. Child care must be provided by a licensed or certified, and Youngstar rated, child care provider. For further information about the Child Care program: https://dcf.wisconsin.gov/wishares/eligibility

How to Apply

There are four ways to apply for benefits:

  • Online: AccessWisconsin.gov

  • Phone (888)794-5556 Capital Consortium Toll-Free Number

    • Hours of Operation: M, T, W, F: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Second Thursday of each month: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

  • Mail: Call (608)742-9227 to request that an application be mailed

  • Local Agency: 111 East Mullett Street, Portage, WI 53901

 

COLUMBIA COUNTY ECONOMIC SUPPORT OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

  • Appointments can be scheduled outside of normal office hours upon request.

  • Spanish speaking interpreters are available on site.

  • Interpreters for other languages can be made available upon request.

All paper applications and verification items should be mailed to CDPU, PO Box 5234, Janesville, WI 53547-5234, faxed to 1-855-293-1822, or scanned and submitted thru www.access.wi.gov. Original documents mailed to the CDPU will NOT be returned.

Child Care Certification

Individuals interested in becoming a Certified Child Care provider in Columbia County may request information by contacting Columbia County Health and Human Services' Division of Economic Support during regular business hours.

 

Getting Started

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The Power of Connection

https://the-power-of-connection.org/

"The Power of Connection Online Experience” is a new online resource that helps parents and caregivers in Wisconsin appreciate how important they are in the social and emotional development of the young children in their lives. 

Who is it for?  Parents and caregivers of young children (age 0-5) in Wisconsin. 

What does it do for parents?  With an exciting array of original videos, photos, and interactive graphics, The Power of Connection is a fun and engaging way to raise awareness of social and emotional skill development such as “Empathy” and “Identifying and Managing Feelings.”