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CCR&R news & updates
October 2024
In response to the Governor’s Child Care Task Force Report recommendations, Iowa launched Iowa Child Care Connect (C3) on August 22nd. C3 powers two new public online tools, Child Care Search and Child Care Data Dashboards.
The new tools help:
Watch the recording here and see how the information you provide about your program’s desired capacity and vacancies impacts the data. This data is important for your community and the state to understand the ‘true’ number of child care vacancies, supply, and demand for child care.
Your commitment to providing accurate information
helps families find child care openings and fill your openings faster!
Amanda Laity
Parent Referral
Specialist Coordinator
Kori Warren
Service Specialist
Kenna Boleyn
Since the beginning of Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R), the Parent Service Team has been a cornerstone in providing vital support to families across the state. Their role in offering child care referrals has significantly impacted communities by connecting parents with quality, reliable child care options tailored to their unique needs. This service is essential for:
The Parent Service Team goes beyond providing a list of child care providers. They offer tailored guidance that helps parents evaluate:
This hands-on approach ensures families find environments where their children can grow and thrive. Notably, ALL services are free and confidential for every Iowan.
Over the years, countless parents have expressed gratitude for the team's support, noting that it alleviates the stress of finding suitable care. This support strengthens communities by promoting access to quality child care services.
CCR&R is excited to introduce the Iowa Child Care Connect online search and dashboards—a new tool that complements our services. This technology provides families and communities with essential, independent search options in the ever- evolving child care world.
If you want to learn more about child care options in Iowa and what to
look for when choosing quality child care, talk to a Parent Service Team Specialist:
855-244-5301| Monday – Friday, 8 am – 4:30 pm|Email: childcare@episervice.org
As of July 1, 2024, CCR&R has expanded its team to better meet your training needs. We’re excited to introduce our Statewide Professional Development Specialists. Meet Michelle, Dottie and Marge!
Connect with your team: ccrrpd@midsioux.org
Watch your email for upcoming training dates and opportunities!
Check for New Training Options Available on CCR&R's Online Training Page
Michelle Klas
Statewide Professional Development Specialist, Curriculum Design
Michelle is focused on creating
a variety of training curriculums, which will be available in in-person, virtual and on-demand formats.
Dottie Roberts
Statewide Professional Development Specialist,Online Training
Dottie will ensure that core
CCR&R pieces of training, including ChildNet 3.0, EC-PBIS Preschool, Infant Toddler, Family Child Care and School Age Matters, are accessible
statewide in a virtual format.
Marge Holland
Statewide Professional Development Specialist, Special Projects
Marge is dedicated to helping
Child Care Center Directors develop the fundamental skills necessary for successful program operations.
We are excited to share our
FY24 Annual Report, highlighting the progress, challenges and innovative solutions that have driven momentum in Iowa's child care system over the past year. This year’s report spotlights our commitment to supporting families, child care providers and community partners by improving access to high-quality child care across the state.
Explore success stories, program innovations and initiatives that have defined our work this year. The report features updates on key initiatives such as the IQ4K® training reimbursement program, showcasing how our team adapts to Iowa's child care needs.
Whether you’re a provider, parent, or community advocate, the FY24 Annual Report offers valuable insights into how CCR&R is making a difference every day.
The FY24 Annual Report is available on the CCR&R Data webpage. We invite you to explore the digital and interactive report and learn more about our ongoing efforts to support Iowa’s families and child care providers.
Child Care News Around Iowa
As the leaves change and fall sets in, it’s the perfect time to review your Emergency Preparedness plans! Ensuring that your plans are current and effective is crucial for the safety of your program. Take the time to familiarize yourself with these important procedures in case of an emergency.
Your emergency plans must include procedures for:
There are various templates and tools available to assist child care providers in meeting their program's needs. [Click here to explore resources and templates]
One key resource we’d like to highlight is the Equipment Checklist.
This checklist will help you keep track of essential equipment, such as smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors, fire extinguishers and other evacuation tools, ensuring they are maintained and in good condition.
Join hundreds of child care providers committed to continuous quality improvement! Like Kaya, we’re making giant leaps in building quality child care—one block at a time.
Leap today and elevate your program!
Contact an IQ4K Specialist
CCR&R is excited to offer a recruitment texting campaign in Iowa! This tool helps guide those considering a rewarding career in early childhood education.
Ready to take the first step?
Text: startchildcare to 59925 to learn more!
At CCR&R, we are committed to delivering information and important updates to early childhood education professionals quickly and efficiently.
Sign up today!
Text: IowaCCRR to 59925 to stay connected!
Request and reorder resource materials directly from the CCR&R website! This user-friendly option is designed with your needs in mind, ensuring swift access to some of our most utilized resources.
Explore the new resource page today and streamline your requests!
Iowa CCR&R | www.iowaccrr.org
Tags: newsletter , ccr&r news , community partnerships , parent referrals , cost of child care , recruitment , resources
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