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 NC Child Care Resource and Referral Council manages the programs and supports offered by the 14 CCR&R agencies through the state. All 14 CCR&R agencies provide needs- based technical assistance and professional development for early childhood program administrative and teaching staff. Consumer Education/Work Directly With Families: Through the use of Family Referral Specialists, the 14 regional agencies also provide families assistance finding quality child care. Consumer Education is provided not only in person, but also through informational brochures. The two primary brochures providing required consumer education content include: Child Care in North Carolina https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Portals/0/documents/pdf/C/CCRRNC_ChildCareinNC_FIN AL_web.pdf?ver=2018-08-23-125352-147 and Resources for families with young children in North Carolina https://ncchildcare.ncdhhs.gov/Portals/0/documents/pdf/C/CCRRNC_ResourcesinNC_FIN AL_web.pdf?ver=2018-08-23-125352-347 Consumer Education is also found on the CCR&R websites throughout the state. Below are examples of three NC CCR&R agency websites (NC CCR&R Lead Agencies): Child Care Resources Inc., https://www.childcareresourcesinc.org/ Child Care Services Association, https://www.childcareservices.org/ and Southwestern Child Development Commission, https://www.swcdcinc.org/ . Collect data on coordination of services CCR&R funding is used to support child care referral services for families of children with special needs. All families using child care referral services are provided with information on early intervention services. Additionally, CCR&R funding is used for professional development and technical assistance activities that assist child care providers with resources to support inclusive practices for children with special needs. Collect data on Supply and Demand of Child Care Services CCR&R supply and demand data is captured through the use of the CCR&R Consumer Education and Referral system database, regional child care provider updates with Consumer Education and Referrals Specialists, and regional reports that may be initiated separately by lead CCR&R agencies. Establish partnerships CCR&R funding is currently used to support CCR&R activities through contracted services in 14 lead CCR&R agencies and 30 local agencies. Local agencies are partners in providing technical assistance and professional development and include Smart Start partnerships, community college and private not-for profit agencies. All of these contracts require outreach activities in local communities to identify child care needs in their respective service areas. Lead agencies also work with other early childhood supporting agencies/organizations in their regions to coordinate support activities.