For over 40 years, Families First of Minnesota (formerly Child Care Resource & Referral) has been a non-profit organization in our community working as a resource for parents, child care programs, and community members in all areas of early childhood.

Pioneering a Child Care Resource and Referral Service

  • 1970 Study commissioned by the United Fund and Olmsted County Department of Social Services
  • 1972 Olmsted County Council for Coordinated Child Care, Inc. (4-C’s) established

1970s - New Programs Launched

  • United Way Nursery School Scholarships
  • Child and Adult Care Food Program – Federally funded
  • PAIIR – Parents Are Important in Rochester (One of six pilots funded in MN by Early Child and Family Education [ECFE] )
  • Parents Anonymous chapter begun — United Way funded

1980s - A Decade of Innovation

  • Name changed to Child Care Resource and Referral, Inc.
  • Programs piloted through MN Dept. of Education, Olmsted County, United Way, local employers
  • School-Age Child Care Survey identifies ‘latch key children’ problem …and Building Partnerships to Meet the Needs of Children and Their Families
  • Community Education School Age Child Care Program — Funded in part through Wellesley School Age Project
  • Head Start Program in Olmsted County 1984; Freeborn County 1985
  • IBM purchases child care referral services for employees
  • Mayo Medical Center subsidizes child care for low income employees while they are on the wait list for assistance.

1990s - A Decade of Growing Needs

  • IBM donates funds to build Infant/Toddler Child Care Center for community
  • Independent School District #535 contracts with CCR&R to provide School Readiness / Nursery School Partnership
  • 1994 Crisis Nursery Program
  • 1998 New Building

2000s - Service to the Community Continues

  • A Kinship Caregiver caseworker added to facilitate the Grandparents, Parenting Again Group and add services to the program.
  • Head Start began partnership with Mayo Clinic Pediatric Resident Program. Residents rotate through Head Start in their third year.
  • On-going support and implementation of the Incredible Years Curriculum year between Head Start and Olmsted County Children’s Mental Health Resource Center occurred.
  • CCR&R Head Start selected as an Americorps Early Literacy Site.
  • CCR&R Head Start partners with Boys & Girls Club of Rochester to develop The Place. The Place provides support for children and youth from birth through high school graduation.