Children's Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County

We're thrilled to announce that the Santa Barbara Foundation and our partners received an ovation from the County Board of Supervisors for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA)-funded Child Care Sector Relief and Recovery Initiative! Thanks to $1,125,000 in ARPA funding, we've partnered with Children's Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County, Eileen Monahan, Women's Economic Ventures (WEV) and the Child Care Planning Council (a program of the Santa Barbara County Education Office) to: ? ? Create 1000+ child care spaces for infants and toddlers ? Support 900+ child care businesses ? Expand the child care workforce ? Develop a county-wide child care facilities master plan ? Together, we're strengthening our local child care system and creating lasting impact for families and children across Santa Barbara County. Click here to learn more about how we are addressing child care: https://lnkd.in/g-DEMmWj Pictured: Our VP of Programs, Elizabeth Thasiah, speaking at the Board of Supervisors meeting.

The Santa Barbara Foundation’s recent toast was a heartwarming celebration of the tireless efforts made by the numerous nonprofit organizations throughout the Santa Barbara region that work tirelessly to support and uplift the most vulnerable members of our local communities. The hardworking Santa Barbara County nonprofits provide a vital lifeline, offering a wide range of essential services and resources to those in need - from food and shelter to healthcare, counseling, child care services, and skills training programs. The selfless staff and volunteers dedicate countless hours to ensuring our community’s most marginalized individuals and families have access to the support they require to improve their wellbeing and work towards greater stability and independence. The toast was a much-deserved recognition of the profound positive impact these nonprofit organizations have on the lives of so many, as well as the unwavering dedication of the passionate people who power them. It was an opportunity to shine a spotlight on the incredible work being done day-in and day-out to strengthen the social safety net and build a more equitable, compassionate Santa Barbara for all. The Santa Barbara Foundation’s gracious hosting of this event underscores their own steadfast commitment to empowering local nonprofits and ensuring no one in our community is left behind. Thank you Santa Barbara Foundation and a special shout out to their amazing CEO, Jackie Carrera, for the continued commitment to nonprofits and “for impact” organizations!

?????? Today, CRR and Santa Barbara County Supervisor Laura Capps paid homage to the profound impact of 9/11 by dressing in patriotic attire, vowing to never forget the immense tragedy and loss that reverberated across the nation on that fateful day. As they solemnly reflected on the horrific events that unfolded nearly two decades ago, they declared their unwavering commitment to honoring the memory of the innocent lives stolen and the families left to grapple with unimaginable grief. May 9/11 never be forgotten. In the face of unspeakable tragedy, the human spirit can rise up with courage, compassion, and a renewed dedication to the principles that define the American experience. May we continue to carry on the legacy of those who were lost, ensuring that their lives and sacrifices will continue to inspire generations to come. ??????

The Santa Barbara County Child Care Planning Council Retreat was a highly anticipated event this year, with the theme of “Advocacy in Action” taking center stage. During this insightful gathering, experts delved into the remarkable progress made through a groundbreaking partnership between the Santa Barbara Foundation, Children’s Resource and Referral, and the Child Care Planning Council itself. This innovative collaboration, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors, has spearheaded a concerted effort to dramatically expand access to critical infant and toddler care services across the county. The retreat provided a comprehensive overview of the initiative’s impressive achievements thus far. Attendees were thrilled to learn about the substantial increase in new child care spaces that have been created, offering families greater options and flexibility. Furthermore, the council shared the inspiring news that more teachers than ever before are now eligible to work in infant and toddler classrooms, a testament to the program’s commitment to building a robust, highly-skilled early childhood workforce. Delving deeper, the retreat also spotlighted the invaluable Facilities Needs Assessment Report, which has shed light on the infrastructure requirements necessary to support this expansion. Complementing this, the new Land Use Report offered critical insights into the zoning and regulatory landscape, informing strategic planning efforts. However, the retreat also addressed emerging challenges, such as recent state-level changes to fire codes that have introduced barriers to the continued growth of infant and toddler care. Undeterred, the council discussed innovative approaches to overcome these obstacles, demonstrating their unwavering dedication to advocacy and action. As the gathering drew to a close, attendees were left inspired and energized, eager to contribute to the development of a comprehensive, county-wide Child Care Master Plan that will build upon the remarkable momentum generated by these visionary early childhood partners.

We could just pinch ourselves! We are overjoyed and honored to have been named the Community Angel Organization of the Year by Angel’s Foster Care. This recognition is a testament to the incredible partnerships we have forged throughout our county to support the most vulnerable members of our community - the children. Children’s Resource & Referral’s leadership is committed to this special work, derived from a deep personal passion to make the most positive impact possible, and there is no better way to do that than by focusing our efforts on our community’s youngest and most precious members— the children! By empowering parents and caregivers, we are able to create a safety net that helps to protect and nurture our children, giving them the strong foundation they need to grow into happy, healthy, and successful individuals. We are deeply grateful to Angel’s Foster Care for this incredible honor, which serves to validate the passion and dedication of our team. It is a true privilege to be entrusted with the wellbeing of our community’s children, and we are humbled by the opportunity to make a tangible difference in their lives. We invite everyone to join us in celebrating this achievement at the upcoming Sip and Support event on Thursday, October 17 from 4-6 PM at the rooftop patio of Toyota of Santa Maria. We look forward to sharing this special moment with our community while continuing to support the incredible work being done at Angel’s Foster Care! https://lnkd.in/gaQ5V_FX

YOU’RE INVITED! CRR is hosting another memorable Party with a Purpose, themed Western Nights, benefiting Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County on Friday, September 27, 2024, at theCisneros Barn in Santa Maria (2750 Bull Canyon Rd.). Enjoy Cocktail Hour at 5:30 PM and Dinner, Live Auction, and Music from 6 PM - 10 PM!Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRR) has been a staple non-profit social service to low-income, at-risk, and foster children and families for 53 years in Santa Barbara County. Thanks to generous donations, CRR has provided nearly 600 children with the necessities to transition more comfortably. CRR thanks you for contributing meaningfully to our continued and ongoing services to the most vulnerable in our communities. Your involvement is greatly valued and needed! Get your tickets or select your Sponsorship Package here! https://lnkd.in/gfPzXW_m Thank you for your support and participation, we look forward to seeing you on September 27, 2024.

Exciting news for Santa Barbara County families and child care providers! We're proud to share the results of months-long work in partnership with Children's Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County and the Santa Barbara County Child Care Planning Council. The "Santa Barbara County Child Care Facilities Needs Assessment" and "Planning for Child Care Land Use Report" are now available, offering valuable insights into the current landscape of child care facilities, unmet needs for licensed care for infants and toddlers, and recommendations for steps forward and facility development. These reports are part of a larger initiative funded by the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors through ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) allocations that shed light on the critical need for expanded child care facilities in our community. Read the reports here: https://lnkd.in/g4dpknPD

We are absolutely thrilled and deeply honored to accept the prestigious recognition as the Non-Profit of the Year by the esteemed Santa Maria Valley Chamber. This prestigious award is a remarkable testament to the tireless efforts, unwavering dedication, and invaluable contributions of the entire Children’s Resource & Referral team over the past year. As a non-profit organization committed to supporting and empowering children and families throughout the local community, this distinguished accolade serves as a powerful affirmation of the transformative impact and the unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those being served. The community votes and the Santa Maria Valley Chamber’s ultimate decision to bestow this prestigious honor upon Children’s Resource & Referral underscores our steadfast dedication to addressing critical needs, fostering child development, and cultivating a nurturing environments where young minds can flourish. This remarkable achievement is a true point of pride not only for the organization itself, but for the entire Santa Barbara County that has benefited immensely from the tireless efforts. Non-profit organizations throughout our county enact positive change and improve the lives of those around them, we would like to extend a huge “thank you” to the Santa Maria Valley Chamber for recognizing the hard work done by non-profits in our community.

YOU’RE INVITED! CRR is hosting another memorable Party with a Purpose, themed Western Nights, benefiting Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County on Friday, September 27, 2024, at theCisneros Barn in Santa Maria (2750 Bull Canyon Rd.). Enjoy Cocktail Hour at 5:30 PM and Dinner, Live Auction, and Music from 6 PM - 10 PM!Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRR) has been a staple non-profit social service to low-income, at-risk, and foster children and families for 53 years in Santa Barbara County. Thanks to generous donations, CRR has provided nearly 600 children with the necessities to transition more comfortably. CRR thanks you for contributing meaningfully to our continued and ongoing services to the most vulnerable in our communities. Your involvement is greatly valued and needed! Get your tickets or select your Sponsorship Package here! https://lnkd.in/gfPzXW_m Thank you for your support and participation, we look forward to seeing you on September 27, 2024.

YOU’RE INVITED! CRR is hosting another memorable Party with a Purpose, themed Western Nights, benefiting Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County on Friday, September 27, 2024, at theCisneros Barn in Santa Maria (2750 Bull Canyon Rd.). Enjoy Cocktail Hour at 5:30 PM and Dinner, Live Auction, and Music from 6 PM - 10 PM!Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRR) has been a staple non-profit social service to low-income, at-risk, and foster children and families for 53 years in Santa Barbara County. Thanks to generous donations, CRR has provided nearly 600 children with the necessities to transition more comfortably. CRR thanks you for contributing meaningfully to our continued and ongoing services to the most vulnerable in our communities. Your involvement is greatly valued and needed! Get your tickets or select your Sponsorship Package here! https://lnkd.in/gfPzXW_m Thank you for your support and participation, we look forward to seeing you on September 27, 2024.