Child and Family Resource Network supporting child care providers, families

The Child and Family Resource Network (CFRN), established in 1990 as an outreach office at South Dakota State University, has evolved into a state and locally supported early childhood enrichment program. With a 13-county focus in one of the five regions in the state, CFRN aims to provide vital information and resources for users and providers of child care and their families.

In response to the changing landscape of child care regulations in 2014, CFRN took on the responsibility of offering federally mandated training, contracted by the state of South Dakota. The program emphasizes online learning, reaching 3,813 child care providers in 2023 through its Training House portal, covering 12 federally mandated topic areas and additional classes to broaden practitioners' knowledge.

Recognizing the importance of in-person training, CFRN conducts live sessions, reaching 463 early childhood and school-age providers in 2023. Additionally, the program offered 275 on-site, customizable professional development trainings and distributed its newsletter to 1,439 individuals to keep them informed about CFRN's offerings and activities last year.

Through funding from Brookings Area United Way, CFRN provided 255 vision and hearing screenings in 2023, contributing to early detection in Brookings County children. The program also offers parenting classes funded by the Department of Social Services, distributes car seats to low-income families in collaboration with community partners, and actively engages with the community through initiatives, such as leading the South Dakota Early Childhood and School Age Leadership Conference in 2023.

CFRN plays a crucial role in research, collaborating with South Dakota State University on a Child Care Quality Improvement grant. The South Dakota State University Quality Collaborative, led by researchers Ann Michelle Daniels and Aileen Garcia, focuses on designing and implementing an early childhood Quality Recognition and Information System pilot program. Working with 50 programs across the state, the collaborative tests metrics to identify program strengths and areas for growth, with the final phase of the pilot program scheduled for completion in 2024.

With dedicated staff, community trainers and partnerships, CFRN continues to be a cornerstone in early childhood enrichment and support in South Dakota, providing essential resources and training to those involved in the care of children and youth.