Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
CHILD CARE AWARE OF MISSOURI RAISES THE QUALITY OF EARLY CHILD CARE EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCES IN MISSOURI BY IMPROVING CHILD CARE SERVICES - THROUGH TRAINING, EDUCATION, QUALITY STANDARDS, COACHING, BUSINESS SUPPORT, AND PUBLIC POLICY WORK.
- Income
- $4.2 million
- Spending
- $3.8 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 10.7 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- government grants, 80%
- Employees
- 19
- Volunteers
- 18
- Highest pay
- $160,526, chief executive officer
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 78 out of 100. Higher than 58% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 10.7 months of spending.
Debt
5 of 20It owes 71% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 10% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 74% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 65% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2514 of 14 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.6 million spent. SCHOLARSHIPS - TEACH MISSOURI, CDA, AND HOME VISITING - THE TEACH EARLY CHILDHOOD MISSOURI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM PROVIDES SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILD CARE EDUCATORS SEEKING TO FURTHER THEIR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION THROUGH CREDENTIALS, CERTIFICATES, AND COLLEGE DEGREES. THE GOAL OF TEACH MISSOURI IS TO INCREASE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE DELIVERED BY EDUCATING AND EMPOWERING CHILD CARE EDUCATORS. THIS IS THE ONLY NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP DESIGNED TO SERVE CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS WHO WORK FULL-TIME AND ARE PART-TIME COLLEGE STUDENTS. TEACH MISSOURI WORKS WITH THE SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENT AND SPONSORING EMPLOYER TO SUPPORT ANNUAL COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS AND PROVIDES A SCHOLARSHIP COUNSELOR TO ASSIST IN NAVIGATING THE HIGHER EDUCATION PROCESS. (CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)(SCHOLARSHIPS - TEACH MISSOURI, CDA, AND HOME VISITING CONTINUED):THE SCHOLARSHIP ENABLES THE CHILD CARE WORKFORCE TO INCREASE COMPENSATION AND RETENTION THROUGH EDUCATION. SUCCESS IS MEASURED BY COMPLETION OF EDUCATION, AN INCREASE IN ANNUAL WAGES, AND INCREASED RETENTION IN SPONSORING CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. CURRENTLY, THE COLLEGE CREDIT BEARING SCHOLARSHIPS SUPPORT THE NATIONAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE CREDENTIAL (CDA), CREDIT HOURS, STUDENT TEACHING, AA AND BA DEGREES, AND A MASTER'S CERTIFICATE. IN FY 2025, TEACH MISSOURI SUPPORTED 270 SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS WORKING IN 152 SPONSORING CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, EARNING 2,468 COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS AT MISSOURI-BASED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES WHILE INCREASING THEIR WAGES BY AN AVERAGE OF 15% AND RETAINING 95% OF THE CHILD CARE WORKFORCE. THE TEACH MISSOURI NON-CREDIT BEARING CDA SCHOLARSHIP ASSISTS CHILD CARE EDUCATORS IN EARNING THEIR NATIONAL CHILD DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE CREDENTIAL (CDA) AT NO COST. CHILD CARE EDUCATORS IN LICENSED, LICENSE-EXEMPT, AND SIX-OR-FEWER CHILD CARE PROGRAMS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR THIS SCHOLARSHIP. WHETHER EARNING A CDA THROUGH TRAINING CLOCK HOURS OR COLLEGE CREDIT HOURS IN EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION, THIS UNIQUE PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT PARTICIPANTS THROUGH THE ENTIRE CDA PROCESS - INCLUDING EDUCATIONAL HOURS, PORTFOLIO CREATION, APPLICATION, VERIFICATION VISIT AND TESTING, AND CREDENTIAL ATTAINMENT. UPON EARNING THE NATIONAL CDA CREDENTIAL, THE PARTICIPANT IS AWARDED A COMPLETION BONUS. THE CDA SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT INCREASES THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE PROVIDED THROUGH EDUCATION, COMPENSATION, AND RETENTION OF CHILD CARE EDUCATORS. IN FY 2025, THE CDA SCHOLARSHIP PROJECT ASSISTED MORE THAN 521 CHILD CARE EDUCATORS AS THEY EARNED THEIR NATIONAL CREDENTIAL OVER AN 18-MONTH PROCESS. SINCE 2021, MORE THAN 900 CHILD CARE EDUCATORS HAVE EARNED THEIR CDA CREDENTIAL.THE TEACH MISSOURI HOME VISITOR CDA SCHOLARSHIP WAS DESIGNED TO ASSIST CHILD CARE HOME VISITORS IN EARNING THEIR CDA CREDENTIAL. THIS CREDENTIAL HELPS HOME VISITORS GROW PROFESSIONALLY WHILE MAKING A MEANINGFUL DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES. IT'S A VALUABLE INVESTMENT IN THEIR CAREER AND THE FUTURE OF THOSE THEY SERVE. AS A SOURCE OF CONTINUOUS PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, THE HOME VISITOR CDA ENHANCES THE VALUABLE IMPACT OF HOME VISITORS WITHIN EARLY CHILDHOOD AND THE BROADER COMMUNITY.
- $1.4 million spent. CHILD CARE KEEPS MISSOURI WORKING (CCKMW) - AS CHILD CARE KEEPS MISSOURI WORKING (CCKMW) ENTERS ITS SECOND FULL YEAR, IT HAS EXPANDED ITS REACH AND IMPACT. BUILDING ON COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS WITH KIDS WIN MISSOURI AND ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS TOOTRIS, IT CONTINUES TO EVOLVE IN HOW IT SUPPORTS FAMILIES AND EMPLOYERS. CCKMW NOW INTEGRATES CHILD CARE REFERRALS, SUBSIDY NAVIGATION, AND COMMUNITY-BASED OUTREACH UNDER ONE UMBRELLA - THE MISSOURI CHILDHOOD RESOURCE AND REFERRAL (MCRR) SERVICE, OPERATED THROUGH A STATEWIDE CALL CENTER AND REGIONAL COMMUNITY PARTNERS (RCPS). THE RCPS MIRROR THE CALL CENTER'S FUNCTION BUT PROVIDE FACE-TO-FACE, IN-PERSON ASSISTANCE IN HIGH-NEED AND HIGH-SUBSIDY AREAS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)(CHILD CARE KEEPS MISSOURI WORKING [CCKMW] CONTINUED):TOGETHER, THESE EFFORTS HELP FAMILIES NAVIGATE SUBSIDY APPLICATIONS SUCCESSFULLY LOCATE BOTH SUBSIDIZED AND UNSUBSIDIZED CARE, AND ACCESS LOCAL SUPPORTS. CCKMW CONTINUES TO OFFER FAMILIES THE EDUCATION AND RESOURCES THEY NEED TO RECOGNIZE SAFE, HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE, EMPOWERING THEM TO MAKE CONFIDENT CHOICES FOR THEIR CHILDREN. EMPLOYERS ALSO UTILIZE CCKMW TO ADDRESS THEIR WORKFORCE CHALLENGES THROUGH CONSULTING AND GUIDANCE ON OFFERING CHILD CARE AS A BENEFIT.UNDER THE CCKMW BRAND, THE PROGRAM HAS ALSO STRENGTHENED PARTNERSHIPS WITH MISSOURI'S REGIONAL LEADERS TO BRING FORWARD A CHILD CARE COST SHARING MODEL - AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH THAT HELPS EMPLOYERS OFFER CHILD CARE AS A WORKFORCE BENEFIT TO SUPPORT EMPLOYEE RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION. THIS MODEL HAS EVOLVED INTO THE CHILD CARE WORKS INITIATIVE, DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH KIDS WIN MISSOURI AND TOOTRIS, CREATING NEW MOMENTUM ACROSS THE STATE. THESE COLLABORATIONS BENEFIT FAMILIES, BUSINESSES, AND PROVIDERS ALIKE BY PROMOTING STABILITY, ENSURING RELIABLE INCOME FOR CHILD CARE PROGRAMS, AND STRENGTHENING COMMUNITIES AND LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION.
- $321,699 spent. TRAINING AND SUPPORT - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SUPPORT WERE DELIVERED STATEWIDE THROUGH VARIOUS INITIATIVES, INCLUDING THE MISSOURI SUPPORTING EARLY CHILDHOOD ADMINISTRATORS (MO-SECA) PROGRAM, SHOW ME CHILD CARE RESOURCES (SMCCR), AND NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD CARE (GO NAPSACC). MO-SECA, A COLLABORATIVE PROJECT SPONSORED BY THE MISSOURI DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (DESE) OFFICE OF CHILDHOOD AND SUPPORTED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT'S EARLY CHILDHOOD INNOVATION CENTER, WAS CREATED TO STRENGTHEN THE BUSINESS ACUMEN OF EARLY CHILDHOOD ADMINISTRATORS.(CONTINUED ON SCHEDULE O)(TRAINING AND SUPPORT CONTINUED): THIS PROGRAM EQUIPS PARTICIPANTS WITH THE KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND CONNECTIONS NEEDED TO LEAD AND OPERATE SUSTAINABLE HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. CHILD CARE AWARE OF MISSOURI (CCAMO) PROVIDED A LEADERSHIP AND HUMAN RESOURCE TRAINING CHILD CARE BUSINESSES THESE TRAININGS WERE DELIVERED FACE-TO-FACE DURING MINI CONFERENCES. SHOW ME CHILD CARE RESOURCES (SMCCR) IS A SUBSCRIPTION-BASED SHARED SERVICES WEBSITE FOR CHILD CARE EDUCATORS, DIRECTORS, AND OWNERS, MANAGED BY CCAMO UNDER A STATEWIDE LICENSE SINCE 2014. POWERED BY CCA FOR SOCIAL GOOD, SMCCR OFFERS TOOLS FOR EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT, COST-SAVING STRATEGIES, FAMILY ENGAGEMENT RESOURCES, AND CLASSROOM STRATEGIES, FOR THE BENEFIT OF ADMINISTRATORS. THE PLATFORM ALSO PROVIDES ACCESS TO TELEHEALTH AND TELEMENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, AVAILABLE THROUGH PRIVATE PAY OR FOUNDATIONAL GRANTS. CCAMO SUPPORTS MEMBERS WITH ONE-ON-ONE ASSISTANCE TO NAVIGATE THE SITE. LESS SEARCHING. MORE SOLVING. SHOW ME HOW. ANOTHER PROJECT LED BY CCAMO IS NUTRITION AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY SELF-ASSESSMENT FOR CHILD CARE (GO NAPSACC), AN EVIDENCE-BASED PROGRAM DESIGNED TO IMPROVE YOUNG CHILDREN'S HEALTH BY ENHANCING CHILD CARE PROGRAMS' PRACTICES, POLICIES, AND ENVIRONMENTS. GO NAPSACC SUPPORTS LICENSED AND LICENSED-EXEMPT PROVIDERS THROUGH SELF-ASSESSMENT, ACTION PLANNING, AND EDUCATIONAL TOOLS TO PRIORITIZE, PLAN, AND IMPLEMENT HEALTHY CHANGES. PROVIDERS BEGIN BY COMPLETING A SELF-ASSESSMENT TO IDENTIFY FOCUS AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT ACROSS SEVEN MODULES, INCLUDING CHILD NUTRITION, OUTDOOR PLAY AND LEARNING, AND FARM TO ECE. CCAMO CONTRACTS LOCAL TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE (TA) CONSULTANTS WHO COACH PROVIDERS THROUGH THE PROGRAM'S STEPS, OFFERING TAILORED GUIDANCE TO ACHIEVE IMPROVEMENTS. SINCE THE PROJECT'S INCEPTION, 158 CHILD CARE PROGRAMS HAVE PARTICIPATED, ACHIEVING 1,238 GOALS AND POSITIVELY IMPACTING 7,246 CHILDREN. THIS PROJECT, WHICH ENHANCES CHILD CARE PROVIDERS' ABILITY TO PROMOTE HEALTHY EATING AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, WILL CONTINUE INTO 2025.CCAMO ALSO CONTRACTED WITH THE COMMUNITY AND CHILDREN'S RESOURCES BOARD OF ST. CHARLES TO DELIVER A TRAINING AND COACHING PROGRAM CALLED PROTECTING CHILDREN: PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT BY EMPOWERING EDUCATORS (PROTECTING CHILDREN). THIS PROGRAM SEEKS TO EQUIP CHILD CARE EDUCATORS WITH TOOLS TO MANAGE CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR AND PROVIDE FAMILIES WITH RESOURCES TO REDUCE THE LIKELIHOOD OF CHILD ABUSE AND NEGLECT. THESE GOALS ARE MET THROUGH TRAINING AND COACHING, WHICH FOCUSES ON DEVELOPING NEW SKILLS TO TEACH CHILDREN AND SUPPORT FAMILIES. HIGH-QUALITY CHILD CARE PROGRAMS ARE INCREASINGLY RECOGNIZED FOR THEIR ABILITY TO REDUCE PARENTAL STRESS, ENHANCE CHILD DEVELOPMENT, CONNECT FAMILIES TO ESSENTIAL SERVICES, AND CREATE A SAFER, MORE SUPPORTIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT. BY EQUIPPING CHILD CARE EDUCATORS WITH THE SKILLS TO RECOGNIZE WHEN FAMILIES ARE STRUGGLING OR A CHILD MAY BE AT RISK, THESE PROGRAMS PLAY A CRUCIAL ROLE IN PREVENTING CHILD ABUSE, FOSTERING RESILIENCE AND MITIGATING THE IMPACT OF ADVERSITY.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending September 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending September 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since March 1999.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.