8.3 Coordination with Child Care Resource and Referral Systems

Lead Agencies may use CCDF funds to establish or support a system or network of local or regional child care resource and referral (CCR&R) organizations that is coordinated, to the extent determined by the Lead Agency, by a statewide public or private non-profit, community-based or regionally based, lead child care resource and referral organization (such as a statewide CCR&R network). If Lead Agencies use CCDF funds for local CCR&R organizations, the local or regional CCR&R organizations supported by those funds must, at the direction of the Lead Agency: • Provide parents in the State with consumer education information concerning the full range of child care options (including faith-based and community-based child care providers), analyzed by provider, including child care provided during non-traditional hours and through emergency child care centers, in their area. • To the extent practicable, work directly with families who receive assistance to offer the families support and assistance to make an informed decision about which child care providers they will use to ensure that the families are enrolling their children in the most appropriate child care setting that suits their needs and one that is of high quality (as determined by the Lead Agency). • Collect data and provide information on the coordination of services and supports, including services under Part B, Section 619 and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. • Collect data and provide information on the supply of and demand for child care services in areas of the State and submit the information to the Lead Agency. • Work to establish partnerships with public agencies and private entities, including faith- based and community-based child care providers, to increase the supply and quality of child care services in the State and, as appropriate, coordinate their activities with the activities of the Lead Agency and local agencies that administer funds made available through CCDF. 8.3.1 Funding a system or network of CCR&R organization(s) Does the Lead Agency fund a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s)? [ ] No. The Lead Agency does not fund a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s) and has no plans to establish one. [ ] No, but the Lead Agency has plans to develop a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s). [x] Yes. The Lead Agency funds a system or network of local or regional CCR&R organization(s) with all the responsibilities outlined above. If yes, describe the activities outlined above carried out by the CCR&R organization(s), as directed by the Lead Agency: There is a coordinated network of partner Child Care Resource and referral agencies. There are four agencies divided by regions. Child Care Resource and Referral Services are coordinated statewide through the Lead Agency's (Kansas Department for Children and Families) contract with Child Care Aware of Kansas. Child Care Aware of Kansas subcontracts with three other regional resource and referral agencies offices (CCR&Rs) to form a statewide network that serves all 105 counties of Kansas. These services include consumer resources and services to families searching for child-care, child-care providers, and regional communities. Services to parents, guardians and families include an overall assessment of the family's needs and includes the provision of a customized list of child care referrals based on those unique needs. Consumer education on what to look for and how to select a quality child care environment is provided at the time of the referral. Additionally, information on other state and community resources for which the family may be eligible may also be provided based on the initial assessment of family needs. Services to providers include a system for collecting and updating provider vacancies for parents and consumer education resources that will encourage quality improvement and assist families in meeting their needs. Community services include providing resources and education about child care issues to community and business leaders, support early care and education initiatives throughout the regional service area. Statewide data collected through their web-based system is shared annually in the supply and demand report. Provider profile data is also collected and provided to Lead Agency for the market rate analysis. CCR&Rs provides information to both parents and providers about services under Section 619 and Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.