Chapter 49

49.131(1) (1) The department shall request any necessary authorization from the appropriate federal agency to deliver benefits that are administered by the department to recipients of benefits by an electronic benefit transfer system.

49.131(2) (2) Subject to receiving any necessary approval from the appropriate federal agency under sub. (1), and subject to sub. (3m), the department may implement a program to deliver by an electronic benefit transfer system any benefit that is administered by the department.

49.131(3m) (3m) Prior to implementing, and receiving funding for implementing, any program to deliver by electronic means Wisconsin Works benefits or child care subsidies under s. 49.155, the department shall submit a plan for implementation to the joint committee on finance. Any plan submitted by the department shall include specific information on the vendor selected, the total start-up and ongoing costs, and how issues of fraud and program integrity will be addressed. If the department submits a plan and the cochairpersons of the committee do not notify the department within 14 working days after the date that the department submits the plan that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the plan, the plan may be implemented and the department shall receive the necessary funding. If, within 14 working days after the date that the department submits a plan, the cochairpersons notify the department that the committee has scheduled a meeting for the purpose of reviewing the plan, the plan may be implemented, and funding received, only upon approval of the committee.

49.131 History History: 2001 a. 16 ss. 1656ug, 1656uh, 1656uv, 1656uw; 2013 a. 20.

49.134 49.134 Child care resource and referral service grants.

49.134(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.134(1)(a) (a) “Indian tribe” means a federally recognized American Indian tribe or band in this state.

49.134(1)(b) (b) “Local agency” means a nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation or an Indian tribe that provides or proposes to provide child care resource and referral services that are funded under this section.

49.134(1)(c) (c) “Nonprofit, tax-exempt corporation” means a nonstock corporation organized under ch. 181 that is a nonprofit corporation, as defined in s. 181.0103 (17), and that is exempt from taxation under section 501 (c) of the internal revenue code.

49.134(2) (2) Resource and referral service grants.

49.134(2)(a) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department shall make grants to local agencies to fund child care resource and referral services provided by those local agencies. The department shall provide an allocation formula to determine the amount of a grant awarded under this section.

49.134(2)(c) (c) A local agency that is awarded a grant under this section shall contribute matching funds equal to 25 percent of the amount awarded under this section. The match may be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services, or both.

49.134(2)(d) (d) The department may award a grant under this section to a local agency only if that local agency meets any of the following requirements:

49.134(2)(d)1. 1. The local agency is solely in the business of providing child care resource and referral services.

49.134(2)(d)2. 2. If the local agency provides services, or is affiliated with a person who provides services, other than child care resource and referral services, the local agency, or the person with whom the local agency is affiliated, is not a provider of child care services or of early childhood education services and the local agency has an advisory committee to provide oversight for the portion of the local agency’s services that are child care resource and referral services.

49.134(3) (3) Use of grant funds.

49.134(3)(a) (a) A local agency that is awarded a grant under this section may use the funds to provide any of the following services:

49.134(3)(a)1. 1. Technical assistance and support to child care providers.

49.134(3)(a)2. 2. Recruitment of child care providers in areas of need.

49.134(3)(a)3. 3. Information on the child care service options that are available in the community served by the local agency.

49.134(3)(a)4. 4. A data resource file that identifies the child care service options that are available in the community served by the local agency and that documents the requests and needs of parents in that community for child care services.

49.134(3)(a)5. 5. Programs or information on continuing education and training for child care providers.

49.134(3)(a)6. 6. Any other information regarding the availability and quality of child care services in the community served by the local agency.

49.134(3)(b) (b) A local agency that is awarded a grant under this section may not use the funds to supplant any other funds that the local agency uses to provide child care resource and referral services at the time of the awarding of the grant.

49.134(4) (4) Department responsibilities. The department shall do all of the following:

49.134(4)(a) (a) Administer, or contract for the administration of, the grant program under this section, provide an application procedure for that program and disburse funds awarded under that program.

49.134(4)(b) (b) Provide consultation and technical assistance to local agencies in the preparation of grant applications and the operation of child care resource and referral services programs funded under this section.

49.134(4)(c) (c) Monitor the child care resource and referral services provided by a grant recipient.

49.134 History History: 1991 a. 275; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27; 1995 a. 404 ss. 123 to 129; Stats. 1995 s. 49.134; 1997 a. 27, 79; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20.

49.136 49.136 Child care start-up and expansion.

49.136(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.136(1)(ad) (ad) “Child care center” means a facility operated by a child care provider that provides care and supervision for 4 or more children under 7 years of age for less than 24 hours a day.

49.136(1)(am) (am) “Child care program” means a program established and provided by a school board under s. 120.13 (14) or purchased by a school board from a provider licensed under s. 48.65, which combines care for a child who resides with a student parent who is a parent of that child with parenting education and experience for that student parent.

49.136(1)(b) (b) “Child care provider” means a provider licensed under s. 48.65, certified under s. 48.651 or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14).

49.136(1)(g) (g) “Employer” means a person who engages the services of an employee, and includes the state, its political subdivisions and any office, department, independent agency, authority, institution, association, society or other body in state or local government created or authorized to be created by the constitution or any law, including the courts and the legislature.

49.136(1)(j) (j) “Family child care center” means a child care center that provides care and supervision for not less than 4 nor more than 8 children.

49.136(1)(k) (k) “Group child care center” means a child care center that provides care and supervision for 9 or more children.

49.136(1)(m) (m) “Parent” means a parent, guardian, foster parent, legal custodian, or a person acting in the place of a parent.

49.136(1)(n) (n) “Student parent” means a pupil who is enrolled in a middle school, junior high school or senior high school and who is a parent.

49.136(2) (2) Start-up and expansion.

49.136(2)(a) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department may award grants for the start-up or expansion of child care services.

49.136(2)(b) (b) If the department awards grants under this section, the department shall attempt to award the grants to head start agencies designated under 42 USC 9836, employers that provide or wish to provide child care services for their employees, family child care centers, group child care centers and child care programs for the children of student parents, organizations that provide child care for sick children, and child care providers that employ participants or former participants in a Wisconsin Works employment position under s. 49.147 (3) to (5).

49.136(2)(cm) (cm) A person who is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds equal to 25 percent of the amount awarded under this subsection. The match may be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services, or both.

49.136(6) (6) Limit on expenditure of funds. No funds provided under this section may be used for the purchase or improvement of land or for the purchase, construction or permanent improvement, other than minor remodeling, of any building or facility.

49.136(7) (7) Grant administration.

49.136(7)(a) (a) The department shall establish guidelines for eligibility for a grant under this section. The department need not promulgate those guidelines as rules under ch. 227.

49.136(7)(b) (b) The department may administer the grant application process under this section or contract for the administration of that process.

49.136 History History: 1991 a. 275; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27, 289; 1995 a. 404 ss. 131 to 141; Stats. 1995 s. 49.136; 1997 a. 27; 1999 a. 9; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 28, 185.

49.137 49.137 Child care quality improvement.

49.137(1) (1) Definitions. In this section:

49.137(1)(ab) (ab) “Child care center” has the meaning given in s. 49.136 (1) (ad).

49.137(1)(am) (am) “Child care provider” means a provider licensed under s. 48.65, certified under s. 48.651 or established or contracted for under s. 120.13 (14).

49.137(1)(bd) (bd) “Family child care center” has the meaning given in s. 49.136 (1) (j).

49.137(1)(c) (c) “Family child care system” means a centralized administrative unit that offers technical assistance and support to a group of child care providers with the goal of improving child care services.

49.137(1)(e) (e) “Group child care center” has the meaning given in s. 49.136 (1) (k).

49.137(2) (2) Staff retention grants.

49.137(2)(a) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department may award grants to child care providers that meet the quality of care standards established under s. 49.155 (1d) to improve the retention of skilled and experienced child care staff. In awarding grants under this subsection, the department shall consider the applying child care provider’s total enrollment of children and average enrollment of children who receive or are eligible for publicly funded care from the child care provider.

49.137(2)(b) (b) A child care provider that is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds equal to 25 percent of the amount awarded under this subsection. The match may be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services, or both.

49.137(2)(c) (c) A child care provider that is awarded a grant under this subsection may use the funds to provide advanced training for the child care provider’s child care staff, to improve the salaries and benefits provided to the child care provider’s child care staff and to undertake other activities or projects to improve the retention of the child care provider’s child care staff.

49.137(3) (3) Quality improvement grants.

49.137(3)(a) (a) From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department may award grants to child care providers for assistance in meeting the quality of care standards established under s. 49.155 (1d).

49.137(3)(b) (b) A child care provider that is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds equal to 25 percent of the amount awarded under this subsection. The match may be in the form of money or in-kind goods or services, or both.

49.137(3)(c) (c) A child care provider that is awarded a grant under this subsection shall use the grant funds to attempt to meet the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e), 1995 stats., within 24 months after receipt of the grant.

49.137(4) (4) Training and technical assistance contracts. From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department may contract with one or more agencies for the provision of training and technical assistance to improve the quality of child care provided in this state. The training and technical assistance activities contracted for under this subsection may include any of the following activities:

49.137(4)(a) (a) Developing and recommending to the department a system of higher payment rates or a program of grants for child care providers that meet the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e), 1995 stats.

49.137(4)(b) (b) Developing a plan for a uniform, statewide system of career development, credentialing and training for individuals who provide child care.

49.137(4)(c) (c) Disseminating to the public information about child care that meets the quality of care standards established under s. 49.132 (4) (e), 1995 stats.

49.137(4)(d) (d) Providing informational resources to child care providers.

49.137(4)(e) (e) Providing advanced training to child care providers and the staff of child care providers.

49.137(4)(f) (f) Developing family child care systems.

49.137(4)(g) (g) Developing resources to provide child care in a generic setting for children with special needs.

49.137(4)(gm) (gm) Providing training to child care providers in providing child care for children with special needs and developing a network of child care providers who are qualified to provide child care for children with special needs.

49.137(4)(h) (h) Providing any other services to improve the availability and quality of child care in this state.

49.137(4m) (4m) Local pass-through grant program. From the allocation under s. 49.155 (1g), the department shall award grants to local governments and tribal governing bodies for programs to improve the quality of child care. The department shall promulgate rules to administer the grant program, including rules that specify the eligibility criteria and procedures for awarding the grants.

49.137(5) (5) Limit on expenditure of funds. No funds provided under this section may be used for the purchase or improvement of land or for the purchase, construction or permanent improvement, other than minor remodeling, of any building or facility.

49.137(6) (6) Grant administration. The department may administer the grant application processes under subs. (2) and (3) or contract for the administration of that process.

49.137 History History: 1991 a. 275; 1993 a. 16; 1995 a. 27, 289; 1995 a. 404 ss. 142 to 161; Stats. 1995 s. 49.137; 1997 a. 27, 252; 2001 a. 16; 2005 a. 25; 2007 a. 20; 2009 a. 185; 2013 a. 20; 2017 a. 59.

49.137 Cross-reference Cross-reference: See also ch. DCF 204, Wis. adm. code.

49.1375 49.1375 Early childhood excellence initiative.

49.1375(1) (1) The department shall establish a grant program to develop at least 5 early childhood centers for children under the age of 5 who are eligible to receive temporary assistance to needy families under 42 USC 601 et seq. Centers awarded a grant under this subsection shall provide outreach and training for parents of the children served by the center and training for child care providers. The centers shall emphasize stimulation of the child’s language skills and senses of vision and touch. A person who is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds from local or private sources equal to 25 percent of the amount awarded under this subsection.

49.1375(2) (2) The department shall establish a grant program under which a child care provider that receives training at a center that is awarded a grant under sub. (1) may apply for a grant to establish an early childhood program that serves children specified under sub. (1). The program developed under a grant received under this subsection shall emphasize stimulation of the children’s language skills and senses of vision and touch. A person who is awarded a grant under this subsection shall contribute matching funds from local or private sources equal to 25 percent of the amount awarded under this subsection.

49.1375 History History: 1999 a. 9.

49.138 49.138 Emergency assistance for families with needy children.

49.138(1d) (1d) In this section:

49.138(1d)(a) (a) “Administering agency” means the department or, if the department has contracted with a Wisconsin works agency under sub. (3), the Wisconsin works agency.

49.138(1d)(b) (b) “Needy person” has the meaning specified by the department by rule.

49.138(1m) (1m) The department shall implement a program of emergency assistance to needy persons in cases of fire, flood, natural disaster, homelessness or impending homelessness, or energy crisis. The department shall establish the maximum amounts of aid to be granted. The department need not establish the maximum amounts by rule under ch. 227. The department shall publish the maximum amounts in the Wisconsin administrative register if the department does not establish the maximum amounts by rule. Emergency assistance provided to needy persons under this section may only be provided to a needy person once in a 12-month period. Emergency assistance provided to needy persons under this section in cases of homelessness or impending homelessness may be used only to obtain or retain a permanent living accommodation. For the purposes of this section, a family is considered to be homeless, or to be facing impending homelessness, if any of the following applies:

49.138(1m)(a) (a) The family must leave its current housing because it is uninhabitable as determined by a local building inspector, a local health department or another appropriate local authority.

49.138(1m)(am) (am) The family is experiencing a financial crisis that makes it very difficult for the family to make a rent payment, mortgage payment or property tax payment and the family has been notified that it will be required to leave its current housing if it does not make that payment immediately.