CCR&R (Child Care Resource and Referral)
Local agencies that help families find childcare and support providers with training, technical assistance, and resources.
Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies are community-based organizations that serve as a bridge between families seeking childcare and providers offering it. Funded through a combination of federal CCDF dollars, state funds, and private grants, CCR&R agencies operate in nearly every county in the United States through a network coordinated by Child Care Aware of America.
For families, CCR&R agencies provide free referrals to licensed childcare providers, information about childcare quality indicators, and guidance on financial assistance programs like CCDF subsidies. For providers, CCR&R agencies offer professional development training, technical assistance on licensing and accreditation, and resources for business management and curriculum improvement.
CCR&R agencies also play a key role in state childcare policy by collecting and analyzing data on childcare supply and demand, monitoring workforce trends, and advocating for increased investment in early childhood education. Many CCR&R agencies administer QRIS assessments and support providers through the quality improvement process.
Related Terms
CCDF (Child Care and Development Fund)
A federal block grant that funds childcare subsidies for low-income families, administered by states and territories.
Subsidy
Government financial assistance that helps low-income families pay for childcare, primarily funded through the CCDF program.
Licensing
State-issued authorization to operate a childcare facility, requiring compliance with health, safety, staffing, and facility standards.
QRIS (Quality Rating and Improvement System)
State-run systems that assess, improve, and communicate the quality of childcare programs, typically on a 1-5 star scale.
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