About us
Our Mission
As a volunteer network of CCR&R agencies, we support all Georgia's families, caregivers, and communities in a unified effort to provide, promote, and receive high quality child care for all children in Georgia to reach their full potential, being ready to succeed in school and life.
Our Vision
All Georgia's children experience high quality early care environments supported by families, providers, and communities.
Our History
For more than 20 years, child care resource and referral services (CCR&R's) have been offered in Georgia. The first resource and referral was started in 1983. In 1991, five CCR&R agencies joined together to form the Georgia Association of Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (GACCRRA).
In 1993, GACCRRA developed a plan and was funded by the Georgia Child Care Council to provide technical assistance to CCR&R's and to expand the existing database of child care resources in Georgia.
By the end of 1993, 10 CCR&R agencies were in operation in Georgia and that number grew to 14 agencies statewide. In 2009, the Department of Early Care and Learning, Bright From the Start restructured the CCR&R's in the state and they were consolidated into 6 agencies. These CCR&R's are strategically located across the state.
Initially funded by DFACS to regionally support unregulated providers through training, technical assistance, & equipment
Core funding initially provided through the Georgia Child Care Council
Funding transitioned to Bright From the Start: Department of Early Care and Learning
Has supported services including: Inclusion, Quality Improvement, Georgia Training Approval System, career coaching
Supports and works with the Quality Rated system
Elevating Child Care Across Georgia Through Quality Rated
At GACCRRA, we believe every child in Georgia deserves access to high-quality care that lays the foundation for a lifetime of success. Quality Rated — Georgia's statewide quality improvement and rating system — is one of the most powerful tools we have to make that vision a reality.
More Than a Star Rating
Quality Rated signals to families that a program meets rigorous, research-based standards in child-staff interactions, the learning environment, staff qualifications, and program administration. Research consistently shows that high-quality early childhood experiences improve school readiness and produce long-term gains in health, education, and economic outcomes.
How GACCRRA Makes It Happen
Quality Rated doesn't happen in isolation — it happens because providers have the right support to grow. GACCRRA's statewide network of Child Care Resource and Referral agencies provides:
Onsite coaching and mentoring
that helps teachers and directors turn quality standards into everyday practice
Professional development training
in child development, curriculum, positive guidance, and inclusive practices
Environment rating scale preparation
to guide programs through self-assessment and targeted improvement
Leadership support
that strengthens program administration and long-term sustainability
In 2025 alone, our network helped 595 child care programs across Georgia earn a Quality Rating — a testament to the dedication of providers and the power of localized, hands-on support.
Our Commitment
GACCRRA remains dedicated to ensuring every child care provider in Georgia has the training and support needed to deliver exceptional care — because quality child care shouldn't be a privilege. It should be a promise.
GACCRRA has played a key role in the implementation of a number of statewide initiatives funded by other sources to improve access to, and increase the quality of child care. There is no other statewide association with more than a decade of regional relationships and infrastructure capacity building that is more poised to impact and enhance accessibility of services. The GACCRRA Network retains a unique position to collect and share information, implement quality initiatives, and advocate for improvement of early care and education at a grassroots level across all of Georgia's 159 counties.
