DE+I NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION OF THE YEAR
CHILD CARE RESOURCE CENTER (CCRC)
Each month, Child Care Resource Center (CCRC) provides quality, support, development, and education to almost 50,000 children and their families in its 22,500-square-mile service area. CCRC remains a unique and distinctive leader in the childcare industry, with current programs including resource libraries, home visiting, workforce development, family engagement, financial care assistance, Head Start preschool, Early Head Start, childcare partnership, motherhood, and more.
DEI is integrated into CCRC’s everyday services provided for children, families, providers, and staff. CCRC further committed to DEI when its CEO created the Anti-Racist Taskforce in June 2020. Now known as the DEI council, the task force advocated for a new division, and CCRC’s first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion was hired in January of 2022.
Since then, the agency has expanded the DEI division and hired two DEI specialists, with a robust budget; created a DEI strategic plan for 2023-2025; launched ÿve Employee Resource Groups; created a DEI certiÿcate program for more in-depth learning; provided DEI educational books to all employees; hosted a company-wide DEI panel as well as monthly events; presented best equity-minded practices at the National Black Childhood Development Institute in Washington DC.; created a DEI committee on its board; provided DEI education and resources to its external providers; and created customized DEI action plans for its more than ten divisions. At CCRC, DEI is also integrated into services provided for children, families, and providers including offering interpretation services and translated information for families; creating a safe and inclusive classroom setting; arranging bias training for staff, teachers, and providers; and implementing Play Days aimed to offer children and families resources that encourage healthy living, early education, and family well-being.