About The Children's Resource Center

The Children's Resource Center is a non-profit child care resource and referral agency that has been in operation since 1995. We are funded by Smart Start, the Division of Child Development, and by private donations. Our agency works to assist, educate, support, and educate parents, child care providers and our community about quality child care and issues relating to children and families.

OUR MISSION

The mission of The Children’s Resource Center is to ensure that all children and their families in Catawba County have access to quality, reliable child care and developmental opportunities.

OUR GOALS

• Collaboration toward cutting-edge educational opportunities for child care staff
• To provide support and technical assistance to area child care providers
• To educate parents and business leaders about accessing quality child care
• To inform the community and local businesses about children’s issues and child care needs

OUR STAFF

Director—Monica W. Thomas

Under the direction of Monica Thomas, The Children's Resource Center strives to meet its goal of advocating for children, families, and child care providers in order to promote quality child care and quality services for families.  We work very hard to help identify and to fill in gaps in services to families.  This is done by creating new avenues and connecting with many community partners such as area agencies, organizations, families, and child care providers.  We care about our children in Catawba County! If you would like more information please email Mthomas@catawbacountync.gov or she can be reached at 828-695-6511

Family Support Specialist—Ashley Benfield

Ashley Benfield joined The Children's Resource Center in June of 2010.  As a Family Support Specialist she will work to ensure that quality education and information is given to parents and the general community.  Ashley is a native of Catawba County and a graduate of Western Carolina University.  She has spent the past five years in the Resource and Referral field.  Ashley will strive to provide quality services to families, providers and the community.  If you would like more information please email Abenfield@catawbacountync.gov or she can be reached at 828-695-6512. 

Provider Support Coordinator - Virginia Pritchett

As Provider Support Coordinator, Virginia assists potential centers and homes in planning and developing plans for their new programs, as well as providing technical assistance and support to existing centers and family child care homes. Virginia provides many of the trainings that are required for the child care community such as Playground Safety Training, Get Ready-Get Set-Go Transportation Training, Infant/Toddler Foundations, Foundations-Early Learning Standards, several abuse/neglect prevention trainings, as well as training and consultation on all 4 of the Environmental Rating Scales. Virginia has been with The Children’s Resource Center for 14 years and has several years of additional experience in the child care field. She has been married for 20 years to Ken. They enjoy the many activities that keep life busy with their 2 boys, James and Jacob. If you would like more information please email Virginia@catawbacountync.gov or she can be reached at 828-695-6514

Behavior Specialist - Sammi Wortman

Bio Coming Soon...

Latino Community Specialist (Part-time) - Leonor Tobar

Leonor helps to connect The Children’s Resource Center with the Latino community in Catawba County.  She is available for parent referrals, as well as interpreting and translating information for our child care and business community.  Further, Leonor provides training for Spanish speaking child care teachers and families in our area. She also helps provide information to help our community better understand and appreciate the Latino culture.

Leonor has many years experience in the child care field including 15 years at Abernathy Child Development Center.  She also currently works as a Parents as Teachers parent educator.  Leonor is a firm believer that the best teacher a child has is his/her parents.  Therefore, we need to help to develop a parent’s potential to the maximum.  Collaboration between homes, childcare, and community is key to a child’s success. If you would like more information please email LTobar@catawbacountync.gov or she can be reached at 828-695-6515

Regional Infant Toddler Specialist - Loraine Barker-Witkowski

Loraine Barker-Witkowski has been in the Early Childhood field for over 20 years. She has worked as a teacher with all ages and served as director for an on-site university center and a faith-based part-day program. She has been an Early Childhood trainer for seven years. Loraine loves helping fellow professionals who share her love of working with young children. Knowing we help to shape their lives for
the better is her passion. If you need help in your Infant or Toddler classroom please contact Loraine at (704) 477-5101 or email her at Loraine@ccchildcareconnections.org

Family Support Specialist - Marie Corne

In October of 2006, Marie became the Inclusion Coordinator for the United Way Partners Inclusion Program, a program that is funded by the United Way and administered by the Catawba County Partnership for Children. In August of 2007 Marie joined The Children’s Resource Center where she merged her responsibilities as the Inclusion Coordinator with those of a Family Support Specialist.  In this capacity, Marie will be working with all families and child care centers within Catawba County, with a particular interest in children with special needs. If you would like more information please email MarieCorne@catawbacountync.gov or she can be reached at 828-695-6517

Provider Support Specialist - Terri Huene

In 1987 Terri was employed as the Director of Catawba Ridge Child Development Center.  The center grew from 89 children to 276 children.  During that time, she returned to school and graduated with a Human Services Degree from Gardner Webb.  She remained at Catawba Ridge for 10 years.  Terri then owned another child care center for 12 years and operated it for 4 of those years.
In 2000, Terri became an Education Specialist on the Early Childhood Support Team, and continues to provide services to center directors and staff.  During the fall of 2009, Terri joined the CRC to provide services for Family Child Care Homes and to assist the child care community in any way possible. If you would like more information please email THUENE@catawbacountync.gov or she can be reached at 828-695-6592