Attention all Family Child Care Providers!

There are new requirements for all Licensed and Certified Family Child Care Providers in regards to transportation. Please read the following information regardless if you transport children just for fieldtrips, regularly or not at all:

All Licensed Family Child Care Providers must submit a Transportation checklist to their Licensor by July 20^th 2009.

If you do not provide ANY transportation to ANY children enrolled in your program at ANY time you need to indicate this on the checklist and SEND it back. If you do provide transportation at any time to the children enrolled in your program you must complete the checklist after reviewing your transportation policies and return this checklist to your licensor by July 20^th 2009. DCF has stated that licensors will focus their attention on reviewing your transportation policies at their next visit. If you are changing your transportation services, (ex. No longer transporting children) you must report these changes to your licensor immediately.

If you need this checklist click here: Transportation Checklist

2009 Senate Bill 141- goes into effect AUGUST 1^st 2009.

Any vehicle owned or contracted by a child care program that is used to transport children that has a seating capacity of six or more passengers in addition to the driver will be required to install a Child safety alarm system regardless of how many children are being transported.

We contacted Collin Pratt from Robotics Technologies Inc in Joliet Ill. (1-800-995-6056). They have two alarms available: BS100 Direct wired for $80 plus shipping and BS100RF Wireless for $120 plus shipping. Both of these alarms meet DCF’s guidelines. Installation can be done by anyone that is able to install a car radio or car alarm. Installation should take less than 30 minutes.

If you are unable to purchase and install one of these alarms by August 1^st, you must stop transporting children or use a smaller vehicle, and notify your licensor.

We have tried to find ways to extend the implementation for this new rule- unsuccessfully. We are however continuing to look for funding resources to help providers with this cost. Legislators and DCF feel this bill needs to be implemented ASAP to ensure the safety of the children.

DCF MEMOS:
Child Care Licensing memo 2009-05, "Vehicle Safety Alarm Requirement", has been posted to the Department of Children and Families' memo web site.  To access this memo and the applicable attachments, click on the following link:

http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/BRL/2009/2009_05.pdf

Child Care Licensing memo 2009-04, "Transporting Children Safely", has been posted to the Department of Children and Families' memo web site.  To access this memo and the applicable attachments, click on the following link:

http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/BRL/2009/2009_04.pdf

Child Care Licensing Memo 09-44 "Vehicle Safety Alarm Requirement" has been posted to the DCF's memo web-site. To access this memo and the applicable attachments, click on the following link:

http://dcf.wisconsin.gov/memos/BRL/2009/2009 09-44.pdf

Do not hesitate to call your Licensor/Certifier or Union Representative if you have any further questions!