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: The Department funds a system of contracted Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies. As of July 2024, there are eight Child Care Resource and Referral agencies in Louisiana. Each CCR&R has its own specified service area, with some agencies serving multiple parishes or regions and others serving a single parish. The Department coordinates CCR&R efforts through the development of annual strategic plans, goals, and objectives for the work of all CCR&R agencies. This coordination is led by a CCR&R Manager who also develops and implements supports for all CCR&R agencies, including but not limited to CCR&R Communities of Practice, CCR&R Master Coach training, and individualized support calls focused on CCR&R performance in relation to services provided. Each CCR&R is required to operate as an Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). ELRCs are responsible for building connections among and between support systems and child care providers within the communities served by CCR&Rs. In serving as an ELRC, CCR&R agencies are required to collaborate and bring together professionals to strategize and identify needs, maximize resources, and leverage local and statewide strengths to address needs and improve services and supports for early childhood providers and families. This includes connecting providers with available resources and information and supporting sites to participate in the Lead Agency’s child care programs. It also includes hosting collaborative opportunities for child care leaders (site directors) across the CCR&R service areas to participate in discussions and training with content tailored to the community they serve and offers opportunities to strengthen peer-to-peer relationships. Early Learning Resource Centers also serve as a hub of child care information where all families can receive information about quality child care within the community and personalized child care referrals to child care providers based on specific needs or preferences. ELRCs can provide resources and programs for parenting and family support that includes child safety information, at-home learning activities and ideas, ACES training, and developmental milestone information. ELRCs also provide families with information from other community organizations that provide resources and services for families with young children. Finally, as ELRCs, CCR&R agencies coordinate resources and information so that it is more accessible to the community. This may involve participating in meetings hosted by partners or convening partners to plan for community services. It may also include distributing donations after a disaster. The ELRC is recognized by each agency as a base of operations during an emergency, such as a disaster or epidemic. In such emergencies the ELRCs will provide emergency respite care services and information on other community services during an emergency and make that information available to the general public and all families who may be eligible for subsidized child care.