Child Care Resource and Referral offers online referral services
Families in the State of Washington can now search for child care services online thanks to a new statewide referral service launched September 1. ESD 112 operates one of 11 Child Care Resource & Referral programs in the state, serving Clark, Cowlitz, Klickitat, Skamania and Wahkiakum counties. ESD 112's database provides referrals to 479 child care programs in the region.
For many years Child Care Resource and Referral programs in Washington state have been providing telephone referrals to families seeking child care, and matching their specific needs with local licensed child care providers. The new system will bring that same referral system via the internet.
"We are very excited that families will now have the option to search for licensed child care programs from the convenience of their own computer," said Jodi Wall, Interim Director of Child Care and Early Learning. "Searching for child care is a very important and often times stressful experience and families need to have as many options as possible to find care that meets their needs."
In addition to personalized child care referrals, trained CCR&R counselors provide information to families to help them identify quality child care. Across the state, CCR&Rs share educational materials on many aspects of parenting and child development, as well as numerous child and family related resources.
CCR&R also provides training, coaching and other resources to support families and child care providers.
The CCR&R Network works closely with the Washington State Department of Early Learning, the state agency responsible for child care licensing and policy.
To access online or telephone child care referrals in Southwest Washington, visit www.esd112.org/ccrr/ or call (360) 750-9735 or (800) 282-0874.
Public Information - September 1, 2009