Office of Child Care and Family Resources

We’re thrilled to announce that Jake Brunkard, associate professor of genetics, is this year’s recipient of the Outstanding Student Paren Support Award!

Nominated for his proactive approach to supporting a grad student through pregnancy, parental leave, and return to the lab, Jake created an environment that enabled his student to thrive both academically and personally.

Thank you Jake, and congratulations!

🌟 It’s Week of the Young Child!

Each April, we join early childhood communities across the country in celebrating the Week of the Young Child, a time to honor childhood, recognize the families who nurture it, and lift up the educators who make it possible.

As our director Cigdem Unal shared in this week’s blog post, the early years are when curiosity awakens, confidence begins to grow, and a lifelong love of learning takes root. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because of the dedicated early childhood educators who show up every day with patience, knowledge, and heart. 🧡

To celebrate and support the ECEs in our community, we’re offering a free digital reflective journal designed by Cigdem, just for early childhood educators. It’s a space to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the “why” behind the work. Link in bio to download!

Stay tuned for more Week of the Young Child celebrations! 🎉

It’s Election Day, Badgers! If you’re voting in Wisconsin, here’s what you need to know:
📍 WHERE: Your assigned polling place. It’s the ONLY place you can vote today.
⏰ WHEN: Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you’re in line by 8 p.m., you can vote.
🪪 PACKING LIST: ID to register (if you need to register or re-register) and ID to vote.
❗️ Remember: Your Wiscard IS NOT a voter ID!
Find all the info you need at vote.wisc.edu.

We are proud to celebrate Cigdem Unal, Director of OCCFR at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, for receiving the Early Childhood Champion Award from the National Coalition for Campus Children’s Centers!

Her leadership continues to expand access to high-quality child care and strengthen support for families across campus. Congratulations, Cigdem!

StudentParentSupport ChildCareAccess

Calling all parenting students! Help us recognize the faculty and staff who go above and beyond to create a supportive classroom and school-life balance. Nominate someone for the **2026 Outstanding Student Parent Support Award** today! 🏆

🗓️ Deadline: March 20 🔗 Nominate here:

OCCFR Award for Outstanding Student Parent Support The OCCFR Award for Outstanding Student Parent Support is presented each year to a UW-Madison faculty or staff member who has demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to supporting parenting students. This award celebrates employees who have made a meaningful impact on the academic success...

In case you missed it, you can read "A Decade of Dedication: Expanding Child Care Access and Strengthening Support for UW–Madison Families" by OCCFR Director Cigdem Unal on the UW-Madison School of Education blog! 😃📝

A decade of dedication: Expanding child care access and strengthening support for UW–Madison families August 2025 marked the 10-year anniversary of Cigdem Unal’s leadership as Director of the Office of Child Care and Family Resources (OCCFR). In this reflection, Unal highlights her most significant accomplishments over the past decade.

✨ 📕 New FREE e-book alert!
Is the cold weather keeping your kids inside? Looking for an easy, low-cost way to spark creativity and keep little hands busy? Our newest free e-book, Simply Sensational Play Dough Recipes for Young Children, is packed with simple play dough, putty, and goop recipes that support open-ended sensory play—no fancy supplies required.
👐 Sensory play helps young children build fine motor skills, regulate emotions, strengthen problem-solving, and explore their creativity through hands-on learning. These recipes are perfect for cozy afternoons at home, playdates, or everyday play routines.
💛 Download your free copy and get mixing!
🔗 Link in bio!

🌱 Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026: Helping Children Thrive When Life Gets Tough
📆 February 4, 2026 | 💻 Free Online Event
Join parents, caregivers, educators, and community members from across Wisconsin for a full day of
research-backed strategies to support kids through life’s challenges. Learn from experts, discover practical tools you can use right away, and earn up to 6 hours of continuing education credit.
✨ Free to attend
✨ Live on Zoom or watch later
✨ Sessions for parents, early childhood educators, social workers & anyone who supports kids
📝 Registration closes February 2, 2026—register now at the link in bio!
Thank you to UW Division of Extension - Parenting and Family Relationships program for organizing this wonderful, free learning event!

🌱 Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026: Helping Children Thrive When Life Gets Tough
📅 February 4, 2026 | 💻 Free Online Event

Join parents, caregivers, educators, and community members from across Wisconsin for a full day of research-backed strategies to support kids through life’s challenges.
Learn from experts, discover practical tools you can use right away, and earn up to 6 hours of continuing education credit.
✨ Free to attend
✨ Live on Zoom or watch later
✨ Sessions for parents, early childhood educators, social workers & anyone who supports kids

📝 Registration closes February 2, 2026

Save your spot today—register here: https://parenting.extension.wisc.edu/raising-wisconsins-children-conference-2026/

Thank you to UW Division of Extension - Parenting and Family Relationships program for organizing this wonderful, free learning event!

Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026 Raising Wisconsin’s Children Conference 2026 Helping Children Thrive When Life Gets Tough February 4, 2026 Free, Online Learning Event About Date: February 4, 2026Time: 9 AM to 4:30 PMLocation: Online – join live via Zoom or watch laterCost: Free!Continuing Education Credits: 6 hours availab...