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: SC CCR&R is a statewide program that supports high-quality early care and education through work with families, child care programs, and the community. SC CCR&R services are provided through the following programs: SC CCR&R Family Services -providing customized child care referrals through one-on-one consultation with the Family Referral team or through an online search through the search portion of scchildcare.org. Information provided to families includes types of care, hours of care, cost, reduced or free child care options, and how to identify a high-quality child-care program. Data collected from searches and available child care programs will be utilized for supply and demand data as needed by the Lead Agency. SC CCR&R Program Services- works with child care programs, directors, and staff by providing professional development opportunities including targeted technical assistance and research-based training to improve the quality of care provided to children and families. SC CCR&R Community Outreach Initiatives- work with the community, including stakeholders, partner agencies, school districts, and businesses to promote the importance of high-quality child- care and engage in initiatives that help promote accessibility to child care programs for all families. The SC CCR&R works to develop resources for and connections with state businesses to encourage the development of employer-supported child care options. By collaborating with agencies like the SC Department of Workforce & Employment, the state and local Chamber of Commerce offices, etc. the SC CCR&R will explore opportunities to support the child care field and the families in the workforce. The SC CCR&R operates under a CCDF-funded contract with the Lead Agency and the University of South Carolina (USC), College of Education. The administrative office is located at the Yvonne & Schuyler Moore Child Development Research Center on the campus of USC. Staff are located remotely based on the four-region structure of SCDSS Child Care Licensing to provide on-site and local coordination of services to child care programs, families, and the community. All services of the SC CCR&R can be accessed through a single toll-free number or www.sc- ccrr.org.