About us

From one educator’s dream

Over the last 25 years we’ve evolved from one woman’s hope of empowering educators to a state-wide program that serves all 95 counties in Tennessee.

Where  we started

1998

One educator’s dream

The Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network began as the dream of educator Marguerite Hullander. Hullander, a well-known and much-loved teacher in Hamilton County, realized that fellow educators taking care of young children needed resources and training to provide the best possible care for children.

So, she loaded her car with books, toys, and other resources and began providing the much-needed support to child care homes and centers in the Greater Chattanooga area.

2000

CCR&R goes statewide

Eventually, the Tennessee Department of Human Services would decide to take Ms. Marguerite’s dream statewide. By 2000, DHS funded 11 Child Care Resource Centers located across Tennessee.

TN CCR&R provides resources for parents, child care professionals, employers, and the community that support quality care and development of our children.

2003

A managing hub

In 2003, Signal Centers Inc., located in Chattanooga, TN, received grant funding to operate as the managing hub for the TN CCR&R. Signal Centers was to provide the administration and management for what would become the TN Child Care Resource & Referral Network.

Along with continuing to provide training and resources to child care professionals, the Child Care Resource & Referral Network also began providing referral services to families looking for quality child care.

Today

All Tennessee children

Currently, there are eight Child Care Resource & Referral sites serving all 95 counties. All Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Quality Coaches are highly trained and educated to provide Tennessee Department of Human Services licensed child care professionals with the training and technical assistance they need to provide the best care possible for Tennessee’s children.

Today the Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network is praised by regional agencies as a priceless source of information, support, technical advice, and advocacy that enables the entire network to make progress toward the day when Tennessee communities support the development and learning of all children.

Our leadership

We provide resources and support to child care educators, families, as well as home and center child care facilities across the state of Tennessee.

Director

Heather Hicks

Coming to the CCR&R over 17 years ago, Heather Hicks has been a champion of improving the state of early child care in Tennessee. She holds a Master of Education degree in Early Childhood from the University of Tennessee Chattanooga and is a graduate of the Chattanooga Leadership Academy.

Deputy Directors

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Christy Wallsmith

Deputy Director of Infant, Toddler, and Family Services

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Jerrica Aguilar

Deputy Director of Professional Development

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Karen Wright

Deputy Director of Early Language and Inclusion

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Precious Newbell

Deputy Director of Family & Group Child Care and Equity Initiatives

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Sherry Harpole

Deputy Director of Quality Assurance and Child Care Business Services

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Shonna Trinidad

Deputy Director of Health, Safety & Supervision

Coordinators

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Alison Mangrum

Coaching Support Coordinator

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Amy Wilcox

Mid Cumberland Coordinator

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Angie Givens

Upper Cumberland Coordinator

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Ashmin Small

Central Coordinator

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Bettina Jones

Health, Safety, & Supervision Coordinator

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Candace Hansen

Small Business Coordinator

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Charlotte Hubert

Southeast Coordinator

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Emily Smith

Family Engagement Coordinator

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Heather Lamb

East and Upper East Coordinator

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Jamiya Cooper

South Central Coordinator

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Katherine Cothern

West Coordinator

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Keosha Perry

Quality Response and Improvement Coordinator

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Melissa Callejas

Director of Early Childhood Initiatives

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Monica Stone

Inclusion Coordinator

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Regina Henning

Early Language and Literacy Coordinator

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Sarah Vinson

Emergency Preparedness Coordinator

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Shawnta Fulton

Infant & Toddler Coordinator

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Shekibia Copeland

Shelby Coordinator

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Shemethia Armston

Family & Group Child Care Coordinator

Professional Development

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Johnican Coleman

Training Coordinator

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Alexandria Newby

Administrative Assistant

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Alison Mangrum

Coaching Support Coordinator

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Amber Freeman

Training Development Specialist

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Angelika Cason

Coaching Support Specialist

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Briana Woods

Training Development Specialist

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Dalenna Horton

Training and Registration Manager

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Denise Readus

Training Support Analyst

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Emily Watts

Training & Registration Manager

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Jeray Cox

Coaching Support Specialist

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Kerri Whitt

Coaching Support Specialist

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Kristian Lewis

Training Development Specialist

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Susan Scappaticci

Coaching Support Specialist

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Terri McCall

Training & Registration Manager

Marketing

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Emma Blevins

Marketing and Public Relations Director

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Caleb Miller

Marketing & Communication Specialist

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Carolina Hatfield

Marketing & Communication Specialist

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Rosemary Passavant

Marketing & Communication Specialist

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Explore all resources for Tennessee child care givers

We provide resources and coaching from over 10 content areas. Get into contact with one of our content coaches today by selecting a resource page.

Family & Group Child Care

CCR&R Family & Group Child Care Quality Coaches work with family and group licensed providers and support opportunities with licensing by building relationships through coaching, peer-networking, training, and conference opportunities...

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Family & Group Child Care

CCR&R Family & Group Child Care Quality Coaches work with family and group licensed providers and support opportunities with licensing by building relationships through coaching, peer-networking, training, and conference opportunities...

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Infant & Toddler

Our Infant Toddler Quality Coaches are committed to providing invaluable resources and tailored training for educators working with infants and toddlers...

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Infant & Toddler

Our Infant Toddler Quality Coaches are committed to providing invaluable resources and tailored training for educators working with infants and toddlers...

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Family Engagement

Family Engagement is an intentional relationship-based partnership between families, educators, and their communities. Through the acknowledgement and respect of...

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Family Engagement

Family Engagement is an intentional relationship-based partnership between families, educators, and their communities. Through the acknowledgement and respect of...

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Emergency Preparedness

All licensed child care programs are required to have a written multi-hazard emergency preparedness response plan. CCR&R is here to support in developing a functional and compliant plan by offering coaching, training and resources for emergency preparedness response planning...

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Emergency Preparedness

All licensed child care programs are required to have a written multi-hazard emergency preparedness response plan. CCR&R is here to support in developing a functional and compliant plan by offering coaching, training and resources for emergency preparedness response planning...

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Early Language & Literacy

Language & Literacy is dedicated to provide resources and training for best early literacy practices...

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Early Language & Literacy

Language & Literacy is dedicated to provide resources and training for best early literacy practices...

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Inclusion

Inclusion Coaches statewide provide quality practices and accommodations for the early child care educator to ensure that all of the children in their classroom, including those children with disabilities, have access...

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Inclusion

Inclusion Coaches statewide provide quality practices and accommodations for the early child care educator to ensure that all of the children in their classroom, including those children with disabilities, have access...

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Health, Safety, & Supervision

Health, Safety, & Supervision Coaches are located throughout the state and promote health practices in early care and education, developmental monitoring and screening information...

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Health, Safety, & Supervision

Health, Safety, & Supervision Coaches are located throughout the state and promote health practices in early care and education, developmental monitoring and screening information...

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support Specialists address basic concepts in the fiscal and operational management of childcare programs...

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support Specialists address basic concepts in the fiscal and operational management of childcare programs...

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Tech Goes Home

TGH Technology Coaches provide digital skills training to early childhood educators in each Tennessee region through classes and one-on-one coaching with the aim to help close the gap in digital access for licensed child care providers...

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Tech Goes Home

TGH Technology Coaches provide digital skills training to early childhood educators in each Tennessee region through classes and one-on-one coaching with the aim to help close the gap in digital access for licensed child care providers...

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