Child Care Resource and Referral (CCR&R) agencies are community based experts who make child care work by: developing professionals who care for children; connecting families with child care services; and collecting data that impacts communities.

CCR&Rs work to increase the child care supply in the areas that may lack sufficient care, and offer technical assistance and training to potential and existing child care programs. CCR&Rs are heavily involved in community planning. They help communities, school districts, employers, W-2 agencies, and develop solutions to complex child care problems.

CCR&Rs are represented on statewide and local groups that are involved in collaboration and planning to meet early education and care needs of children and families.

Each CCR&R in Wisconsin manages a discreet database of existing child care programs and providers, which is updated continuously. Thousands of changes are made each year as programs open and close or change their services. This allows CCR&Rs to provide parents with the most up-to-date information possible, and track information about family referrals, family demographics (including ages of children), type of care requested (family or group settings, licensed, certified or provisional) and specialized child care requests (care for children with special needs, sick child care, and transportation issues). CCR&Rs in Wisconsin refer equally to all regulated child care programs (family child care and group child care centers) and serve families and children from all income groups.

CCR&R Funding

Child Care Resource & Referral of Central Wisconsin, Inc. receives funding from local United Way agencies, government and corporate contracts, and local grants/foundations. A Child Care Resource & Referral, Inc. Fund at the Community Foundation of South Wood County ensures gifts made to the agency grow in perpetuity. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to support quality child care in Central Wisconsin. Visit www.cfswc.org for more information and to support CCR&R services today.