Our History

Child Care Aware® of Kansas (formerly Kansas Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agency) has been the state's leading source for child care information, referrals, professional development, and information for more than twenty years.

The following timeline provides a snapshot of our evolving roles and growth:

1990: Organizational Meeting

1991: Passed Bylaws, Articles of Incorporation, Received 501(c)3 Tax Status
Received first funding from the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services CCR&Rs serving 30 counties

1997: Administered family child care provider grants for SRS

1998: Received funding for Professional Development planning and implementation for the early childhood field Received funding from Kansas Health Foundation and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund for uniform data collection system

1999: Received funding to support Infant/Toddler Specialists in each of the R&Rs (a first in the country)

2000: Awarded first T.E.A.C.H. KANSAS Scholarship to child care providers caring for children a minimum of 30 hours per week

2001: Received funding from Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation for WAGE$ salary supplements for child care providers

2002: Launched first edition of KANSAS Child

2004: Launched Oral Health Education project (QTIP-OH!) specific to the early childhood field

2005: Launched pilot of Kansas Quality Rating System

2007: Completed redesigned of Kansas R&R Network
Created 3 call centers offering specialized services for families needing assistance locating and accessing child care. Provided families a toll free number to access critical information.

2008: Developed a partnership with five other state-level agencies that collectively submitted a Block grant to the Children's Cabinet and Trust Fund, which received funding totaling over 6 million dollars

2009: Achieved NACCRRA Quality Assured March, 2009

2010: Celebrate 20 years of service