About CCR&R: What is Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral?

Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies are community based programs staffed by early care, health, and education professionals. CCR&R agencies work to connect families with quality child care and facilitate professional development opportunities for the adults who care for our youngest citizens. CCR&R also works to build the supply of quality child care options in communities and collects data that impact local decisions and solutions to child care needs.

CCR&R programs in Iowa are unique to the communities they serve. They are often housed within a larger non-profit, an Iowa Extension office or other county agency or may be a stand-alone non-profit. Staff employed by CCR&R can be funded by various funding streams including DHS and Community Empowerment. Job titles and specific duties may vary from county to county.

There are five regions in the Iowa CCR&R system, serving all 99 counties. In an effort to avoid duplication of services, a lead agency within each region provides services to coordinate early childhood activities by collaborating with other early childhood and school-age partners. Regional positions, including Training Coordinators, Regional Home Consultants, Regional Health Consultants, Infant-Toddler Specialists and Data Committee Representatives work to coordinate activities within their region, increase communication, and delivery of consistent statewide service. The Department of Human Services works through these five agencies to deliver child care services. See more information and a list of regulated child care providers

Iowa Child Care Resource and Referral is part of a larger organization, the National Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (NACCRRA). NACCRRA began in the mid 1970's because of a community need for a system to assist families in finding quality child care.