When a young mother reached out to the Child Care Resource Center, she and her husband were at a breaking point. With an infant at home and a 7-year-old in school, she was struggling to find child care that would allow her to continue her education and move her family forward. “Every program I called was full,” she explained. “It felt impossible to find a place that could take both of my children.”
Her husband worked long hours during the day, and while her family helped watch the baby, it was only a temporary solution. She needed stability—reliable care that would allow her to focus on school, confident that both of her children were safe, nurtured, and learning.
After listening to her story, our team at CCRC asked if she had applied for financial assistance. She hadn’t yet, so together we explored her eligibility and found that her family qualified. We immediately sent her information on how to apply for Smart Start and DSS child care assistance and promised to follow up with program options that might meet her needs.
Within just a few hours, we located a child care center with openings for both children—close to her workplace and within her 7-year-old’s school zone. When we called to share the news, she was overwhelmed with relief. “I can’t thank you enough,” she said. “This means everything to us.”
Two weeks later, our follow-up call confirmed that both children were enrolled and thriving. The mother had toured the site, completed the paperwork, and found a routine that finally worked for their family. She shared that she had applied for financial aid through Smart Start and DSS, and while the waiting lists were long, she and her husband could manage the cost with the help of family in the meantime.
“This has been such a relief for all of us,” she said. “I can finally focus on school again knowing my children are cared for.“
For our team, this is what it’s all about—connecting families to the resources, information, and care they need to build a more stable and hopeful future.
At Child Care Resource Center, we don’t just help parents find care—we help them find peace of mind.