KCAO Welcomes Regional Partners for Resource and Referral Quarterly Meeting
Kings Community Action Organization recently hosted the first Central California Resource and Referral Quarterly Meeting of 2026, bringing together representatives from across the region to collaborate on issues impacting families and childcare providers.
Held in Hanford at KCAO’s main office auditorium, the meeting welcomed attendees from ten counties, including Kings, Colusa, Tulare, Inyo, Mono, Tuolumne, Stanislaus, Kern, Mariposa, and San Luis Obispo. Resource and Referral agencies, known as R&Rs, exist in every county in California and are divided into Northern, Central, and Southern regions, working together to support families and strengthen childcare systems statewide.
KCAO’s Resource and Referral team, including Ruth Lopez, April Hatfield, Lila Chavez, Edlyn Cruz, and Araceli Duarte, hosted the event and provided attendees with a tour of KCAO’s Resource and Referral building following the meeting.
Resource and Referral programs are state funded, community-based services that exist in every county in California. These programs support families by helping them find childcare, assist providers in maintaining and improving quality, and connect communities with critical early childhood resources.
“R&Rs are connectors for our communities. They connect families with everything they need for their children,” said Kelly Graesch of the Resource and Referral Network, a statewide advocacy organization that monitors legislation, supports childcare systems, and works to improve access and quality across California.
Throughout the meeting, attendees discussed a range of key issues affecting families and providers across the Central region. Topics included the development of a statewide disaster response plan and how R&R agencies can support families and childcare providers during emergencies. Representatives also reviewed updates to community care licensing regulations that impact both licensed facilities and family childcare homes.
Additional discussions focused on public policy and federal updates, including how changes in funding and legislation may affect services. Agencies also provided input on the future direction of the Resource and Referral Network as it prepares for a leadership transition, sharing feedback on priorities and focus areas moving forward.
Regional challenges were also addressed, including concerns related to fraud, funding limitations, and data systems that impact service delivery. These conversations provided an opportunity for agencies to share strategies, identify common barriers, and collaborate on solutions.
As part of the meeting, KCAO’s Ruth Lopez was nominated to serve as a regional representative, further highlighting KCAO’s leadership within the Central California network.
“It’s incredible the system built here at KCAO, helping families not only with R&R services but on so many different levels. It’s just full circle,” said Heather Woodlee of the Resource and Referral Network.
KCAO’s Resource and Referral program plays a vital role in Kings County by connecting families to childcare, supporting providers in maintaining and expanding services, and responding to the evolving needs of the community.
By hosting this regional meeting, KCAO reinforced its commitment to collaboration, leadership, and ensuring that families across Central California have access to the resources and support they need.
