You are receiving this newsletter because you are enrolled in the WECA Food Program.

January 2024

Stay connected: Check out our current staff directory here.

Your Monthly News & Updates

National Days in January

January 29: National Blueberry Pancake Day 

Read “Pancakes, Pancakes!” (Carle, 1970,) “Curious George Makes Pancakes (Rey, 1998,) and “If You Give a Pig a Pancake” (Numeroff, 1998.)

Make and enjoy pancakes as a bread or bread alternate - at any meal or snack!

Food Program Anniversaries in January

5 years: Victoria Davidson
10 years: Annastacia Swope, Heather Anderson
15 years: Staci Hanson, Rosse Marie Pena Lopez
25 years: Debra Harvey
30 years: Cynthia Lee
35 years:  Karen Bretzel

We applaud your commitment to serving nutritious meals and

snacks to the children in your care! 

Welcome to our New Providers!

Shanise in Milwaukee
Pamela in Milwaukee
La’mya in Milwaukee 
Cynthia in Milwaukee 
Alexis in Milwaukee
Karen in Milwaukee
Margaret in Green Bay
Tania in Rice Lake

Late and Missed Claim Notices:

Watch for Texts and Voicemails!

WECA is exploring many ways to connect with providers with the important information they need, including sending some updates through text messages and voicemails! In the coming months, you may start receiving any late or missed claim notices from the WECA Food Program through text message and/or voicemail, so be sure you look at all messages from the WECA phone number.

Ask the Food Program

Question:

I recently had a Special Diet approved for one of my child care children, but meals and snacks before the date the Food Program approved the Special Diet were not paid. Why not?

Answer:

The Food Program must follow the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) meal patterns set forth by United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). When a child is fed differently – for a lifestyle reason, (such as vegetarianism,) or for a disability, (such as an allergy,) - the Food Program must carefully review the information submitted that explains the need for that change from the established meal patterns.

Meals and snacks from the Point of Discovery, (i.e. the date the Food Program becomes aware a child has a Special Diet) and the date of approval,* cannot be reimbursed by the Food Program because during these dates it is known that the child is NOT being served according to the CACFP guidelines, and the reason for that is being investigated.

*If it can be approved. Not all Special Diets can be approved.

Components and Crediting

Grain Ounce Equivalents

Wondering how many fish-shaped crackers to serve to each child at snack? This handy tool lists commonly served grain products and their recommended serving sizes.

Healthy Snack Ideas

Bored with the same snack offerings? Look here for some great ideas from Community Nutrition.

Winter Guajillio Wonder Bowl

Looking for an affordable and tasty winter recipe? Try Winter Guajillio Wonder Bowl, a finalist in the 2023 Whipping Up Wellness Wisconsin Student Chef Competition.

See page 19.

CACFP Portion Sizes for Children and Infants

How much fruit and vegetable should you plate for a 4-year-old at lunch? Consult these handy resources for child and infant meal component serving sizes.

Monitoring and Oversight

Apply for the Higher Tier Anytime

Has your household grown larger? Has your household income decreased? Do you now receive a qualifying service such as FoodShare? If so, you may qualify to receive the higher, Tier 1 rates. You also may qualify to claim the residential children living in your home, if applicable. Applications and federal income guidelines are found in this resource under Financial .

DPI Translated Forms 

Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction (DPI) has many forms available in Spanish and Hmong on its site.

WECA’s Policy on Provider Suspension from Wisconsin Shares

Here is a reminder of the WECA Food Program Wisconsin Shares Policy:

If a provider is suspended from the Wisconsin Shares child care subsidy payment system, WECA will suspend that provider from Food Program participation effective the date of the Shares suspension, until the provider communicates to WECA what his/her intention is regarding the Shares suspension: i.e., to stay open and appeal suspension, or to close the family child care center.
If a provider intends to close and not appeal or fails to communicate with WECA within seven working days of the suspension, then WECA will drop that provider.
If the provider states that she/he intends to stay open and provide care for the children even though she/he is not being guaranteed payment, or has private pay children and remains regulated, WECA will closely monitor that provider. WECA may request that a copy of state attendance records be sent with the monthly claim to ensure the claim is valid. Additional requirements such as monthly parent signatures on attendance records may also be required