How do I Participate for the First Time?
Providers interested in participating in YoungStar for the first time must submit an initial contract via email to the YoungStar Connect help desk at help@youngstarconnect.com or via mail to their YoungStar Office. YoungStar contracts are available in English or Spanish and are valid for two (2) years, with the option to renew:
A completed YoungStar Contract must be submitted to YoungStar Connect before families participating in the Wisconsin Shares program can be authorized to a program. Families can receive subsidy authorizations to a provider starting on the first day that the provider is participating in YoungStar.
- Providers can submit a YoungStar contract prior to being regulated. If they do, their participation in YoungStar will begin on the first day of their regulation.
- A provider does not need to have completed a rating in order for families to be authorized to their program.
To participate in YoungStar, programs must be in regulatory compliance. To find out more, visit DCF's Child Care Regulation web page. Please note that by signing and submitting a YoungStar contract, you are agreeing to provide care for children participating in the Wisconsin Shares Child Care Subsidy Program.
Before submitting a contract, programs should review all Child Care Regulation web page. Please note that by signing and submitting a YoungStar contract, you are agreeing to provide care for children participating in the YoungStar policies. For additional information on YoungStar Contracts, including guidance for Out of State providers, visit the Child Care Regulation web page. Please note that by signing and submitting a YoungStar contract, you are agreeing to provide care for children participating in the DCF website.
How do I Continue to Participate?
To continue participating in YoungStar, you must renew your contract every two years. Renewal and Off-Year Services Applications are mailed directly to programs and are also available in the Provider Portal. YoungStar Renewal Contracts must be submitted by the first day of a provider’s Anniversary Month to continue participation. Returning an Off-Year Services Application is optional for all programs.
Before submitting a renewal contract, programs should review all YoungStart polices.
If you are an existing YoungStar program and want to open a new location, it is your responsibility to complete and submit a new YoungStar Contract for that location (see above). Every location needs its own YoungStar contract and will receive its own YoungStar rating.
