Child Care Focus: Resource and Referral Center

2006

This project is designed to meet the needs of a rural, sparsely populated area by the continuation of a child care resource and referral center. Until Child Care Focus was established in 1992, southeast Kansas in general, and Labette, Cherokee, Montgomery, Elk and Chautauqua counties specifically, did not have a central point of contact for families in need of child care services. Child Care Focus employs a state-of-the-art computer managed data based system designed to match and link families with child care providers, based on specific needs identified by the family. The center through an extensive public awareness program also coordinates its services with state and community agencies, the general public, and other service providers to create a cost efficient and effective program to enable families to identify child care opportunities. The staff works closely with public health departments, FAC project, Local Interagency Coordinating Councils, Kansas Child Care Training Opportunities, Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies, Kansas Association for the Education of Young children, SRS offices, Early Head Start, Head Start and other educational programs to make this a no-cost service available to all families with speific emphasis on low income families and families of children with disabilities. This center also continues expansion and development of a professional network for child care providers through the publication of a bi-monthly newsletter and provide support group meetings. A resource center designed for the development of play and interactive materials for child care programs and the loan of equipment and materials is also available to all child care providers in the 5-county area. Extensive training in child development and child care issues is offered in each of the 5 counties in order to make licensing hours and further professional development training to all child care proviers. Classes and mentoring for the Child Development Associate Credential are conducted regularly. On-site technical assistance for family child care, center-based child care, preschools and before and after school care programming is available.

child care

Training Trainees, Performing Technical Assistance and/or Training, Developing & Disseminating Information

Quality Assurance, Education & Early Intervention, Child Care-Related Activities

Professionals and Para-Professionals, Family Members/Caregivers, General Public

Racial or Ethnic Minorities, Disadvantaged Circumstances, Geographic Areas, Rural/Remote

Mulit-County

N/A