Partnerships in Child Care – Building Strong Foundations in South Central Louisiana
When it comes to supporting the early childhood community, Tonya Harden and her team at Partnerships in Child Care, part of Volunteers of America South Central Louisiana, embody what it means to be a full-service, community-driven CCR&R.
Child Care Aware® of America’s position statement lays out three pillars of an effective CCR&R: offering full-service solutions; being rooted in community; and being mission-focused for the public good. Partnerships in Child Care does all three. They serve as a true “one-stop” resource for providers, families, and community partners, offering individualized classroom coaching, professional development, and technical assistance that help early educators strengthen their practice and environments. One of their most impactful programs, the Teacher Institute, guides participants through a nine-month journey toward earning their Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, opening pathways for further education, professional growth, and stronger outcomes for children.
Tonya shares, “Our role is to bear the weight of what’s tough in the world of child care. We support teachers when they feel unheard, directors when their teams need help, and families when they’re navigating their search for quality care. Ultimately, we’re here to lift up the entire early learning ecosystem.”
That spirit of support extends to how Tonya and her team stay attuned to community needs. Through surveys, training evaluations, and ongoing collaboration with local partners, Partnerships in Child Care ensures its services reflect the real challenges and aspirations of the people they serve. Recently, feedback from providers struggling with challenging behaviors in the classroom led the team to develop a new training, Effective Strategies for Supporting Children with Challenging Behaviors, combining hands-on activities and coaching to provide teachers with practical tools and confidence.
Partnerships in Child Care is also forging innovative community partnerships to bring learning beyond the classroom. A recent collaboration with the Knock Knock Children’s Museum in Baton Rouge, supported by the Louisiana School Readiness Tax Credit, allows infants and toddlers to experience safe, exploratory play in the museum’s Crawbaby Space. The team also pre-purchased hundreds of admission tickets for families in their 24-parish region, giving children new opportunities for hands-on learning and family engagement. “Infants and toddlers are the most underserved age group in our state,” Tonya notes. “We want to change that.”
Looking ahead, Tonya sees opportunity in deepening the CCR&R’s role as a connector and capacity builder, advocating for equitable access to quality child care, supporting business sustainability, and strengthening Louisiana’s early childhood workforce. “By aligning professional development with leadership and business training, we can help stabilize and elevate the child care sector,” she says.
Tonya’s work is a powerful reminder of the CCR&R mission in action: to support, uplift, and empower those who nurture our youngest learners, building stronger communities, one classroom at a time.
Do you want someone from your CCR&R to be featured in an upcoming blog or newsletter? Email info@usa.childcareaware.org today!
