Wisconsin Child Welfare Professional Development System-UWM (WCWPDS-UWM) provides professional development to child welfare staff in Milwaukee; foster, adoptive and congregate care staff statewide; and early childhood family support professionals statewide through the Professional Development Network program (PDN).
PDN is officially becoming the new home for Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT).
In close partnership with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the PDN is committed to streamlining your access to high-quality, foundational training. Our goal is to ensure that Wisconsin’s early childhood workforce has the support, resources, and educational opportunities needed to thrive in every classroom and home center.
Effective July 1, 2026, all Child Care Foundational Trainings (CCFT) will transition to the Professional Development Network (PDN).
The Professional Development Network is committed to maintaining and evolving CCFT curriculum to ensure every training is:
- Evidence-based
- Practical and applicable
- Delivered with consistency and quality
Questions or need support?
Contact the PDN Team at pdn-mke@uwm.edu
- pdn-mke@uwm.edu
- 414-964-7400
- 4425 N. Port Washington Road, East Lake Towers, Suite 400, Glendale, WI 53212
For Trainers
Trainers are a cornerstone of quality professional development. Our goal is to ensure you feel supported and equipped during this transition. The following resources will be coming soon to support your training and transition:
A SharePoint site link has been emailed to all certified Child Care Foundational Training trainers. There, you can access the latest approved CCFT course materials to help ensure consistency and quality across all sessions. If you have any questions or need assistance, please reach out to us via email at pdn-mke@uwm.edu
This recorded Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT) Trainer Webinar from April 27th, 2026, provides important updates for CCFT trainers. During this 45-minute session, trainers learn about the transition to the Professional Development Network (PDN), receive updates from DCF regarding curriculum materials, and hear responses to trainer questions about next steps and implementation. This webinar is intended to support trainers during the transition process and ensure continued consistency in CCFT delivery.
Detailed guides, FAQs, and best practices documents to assist you in managing class rosters, reporting requirements, and technical troubleshooting.
For Child Care Providers
Finding the right training at a time that works for you is important. As we move Child Care Foundational Training (CCFT) to the Professional Development Network (PDN), we are making it easier for you to find trainers and sign up for the classes you need.
Coming Soon: A Simpler Way to Sign Up
We are working on a new, easy-to-use system to help you find and register for classes.
Starting mid May, 2026, registration for classes starting after June 30, 2026 will be open. On this site you will find a calendar, how to set up your account and other registration information and resources.