Consumer ED and Referral via NC CCR&R
Category
Early Care and Education
Child's Age
0-1 years, 1-2 years, 2-3 years, 3-4 years, 4-5 years
Participant
Parents/Guardian
Languages
English
Brief Description
The North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral program (NC CCR&R) collects updated information on the availability and quality of child care programs to educate and assist families in finding child care programs that meet their child’s and family’s needs, as aligned with CCR&R Council practice guidance.
Expected Impact
- Improved children’s access to quality child care
Core Components for Model Fidelity
- Collecting Information: NC CCR&R collects updated information on the supply and quality of child care to provide consumer education to parents of young children.
- Consumer Education: CCR&R covers what quality child care is in general (NC’s Star Rated License) and specific information about the level of quality of individual child care programs.
- Referrals: CCR&R referral specialists inform families/caregivers of the importance of making program visits, what to look for/ask during visits, the cost of child care, the availability of subsidies that may help cover the cost of care, and more information and resources. Referral specialists also provide referrals to local licensed or license-exempt, legally operating child care programs.
Languages Materials are Available in
English
Delivery Mode
NC CCR&R consultations are conducted via telephone call to the local agency.
Dosage
Consultations/telephone calls are conducted on an “as needed” basis.
Staffing Requirements
Regional Consumer Educator, Parent Specialist, or Referral Specialist
Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, or a related field.
One year paid experience in childcare, early childhood education, or other children’s services.
Training for Model Fidelity
Child Care Resource & Referral has an onboarding course that serves as an interactive onboarding tool to provide a practical introduction to the requirements and complexity of Consumer Education and referral. This course is at no cost and self-paced.
Contact Information
Cost Estimates
Contact NC CCR&R Regional Lead Agency regarding a detailed cost estimate, based on local needs.
Purpose Service Code (PSC)
3104 - NC Child Care Resource and Referral Services
Program Identifier (PID)
Consumer ED and Referral via NC CCR&R
Minimal Outputs for NCPC Reporting
FY 23-24:
- Number of parents/guardians receiving consumer education about child care
Number of parents/guardians receiving referrals to child care
FY 24-25:
- Number of parents/guardians receiving consumer education about child care
Number of parents/guardians receiving referrals to child care
Minimal Outcomes for NCPC Reporting
FY 23-24:
- Increase in parent knowledge
Increase in parent use of services
FY 24-25:
- Increase in parent social support
Minimal Measures for NCPC Reporting
FY 23-24:
- Consumer Ed and Referral Parent Referral Survey
FY 24-25:
- Consumer Ed and Referral Parent Referral Survey
NCPC Evidence Categorization
Evidence Informed- Industry Standard
Research Summary
The most recent publication on NC CCR&R’s impact in the state is the 2022 North Carolina Statewide Fact Sheet1 which provides insight into the number of children under age 14 in NC as well as the different family dynamics and styles of care/education they receive. According to this fact sheet, there are approximately 732,000 children ages birth to 5 years, 66% of whom live in a family with all parents working. There are 5,944 regulated early care and school age education programs in the state, as of 2022, and 3,898 programs with a 4–5-star rating. Of all children ages 0-14 years in the state, 72% are enrolled in 4-5 star rated early care and school age education programs. NC CCR&R served 29,378 children (birth to 14 years) in 2022 and provided training and professional development to 27,932 early care and school age professionals.
- ^ See North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council (2019).
Researched Population
- Statewide data of children ages 0-14 years, their families, and their educators
North Carolina Child Care Resource and Referral Council. (2022). North Carolina Statewide Fact Sheet. https://cms.childcarerrnc.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/statewide-20191910111108.pdf
Local Partnerships Currently Implementing
Local Partnerships in purple have adopted Consumer ED and Referral via NC CCR&R. Local Partnership contact information can be found here.