Councils Support Families with Child Care Resources

The long days of summer are nearing an end and many young children are starting school or returning to child care for high quality early learning experiences. Finding quality child care and navigating assistance can be challenging for local families. Fortunately, Colorado established the Child Care Resource and Referral Network (CCR&R) and Early Childhood Councils play an important role.

Many Councils facilitate this service by providing families with information about quality child care, availability, financial assistance, and referrals. With local partners, they identify early care and education needs and support quality improvement efforts among child care providers. Councils collaborate with the Colorado Shines Child Care Referral Line at Mile High United Way to ensure families across the state have access to quality child care resources.

The services of CCR&R align with the work of Councils to build the resources of local families. These services may match Council boundaries or may span across multiple Councils. Together, Councils coordinate across service areas and work collaboratively to provide resources to families for informed child care decisions.

For example, the Pueblo Early Childhood Council operates the Children First CCR&R which spans eleven counties and seven Councils in southeastern Colorado. To ensure the needs of children and parents are met, Children First CCR&R works closely with Councils across the region. These collective efforts allow families to connect with high quality child care within their local communities.

Download a map of the CCR&R service delivery areas and connect with your Early Childhood Council for more information.