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Small Business Support

Small Business Support Specialists work with new and existing child care directors to strengthen their business operations. Discover how our specialists can support in topics like business finances, daily operations, staff recruitment and retention, marketing, leadership development, and administrative platforms.

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Small Business Support Resources

Explore tools, training opportunities, guides, and resources designed to support child care programs in building strong, sustainable businesses.

Administrator Foundation Series: Support for New Directors Through Their First 120 Days
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Find Upcoming Sessions
More Information
More Information
Procedures for Becoming a Licensed Child Care Agency
Financial Support and Sustainability

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Early Language & Literacy Specialization

The Early Language & Literacy (ELL) Specialization helps child care professionals strengthen communication, literacy, and social-emotional development through individualized coaching and evidence-based practices. Throughout the program year, participants engage in three core components—LENA Grow, Learning Language & Loving It™, and DECA—to build practical skills that support children's growth and create language-rich learning environments.

Applications for the next cohort open July 13, 2026.

▷ Watch the Overview Video

LENA Grow™

LENA Grow™ helps child care professionals strengthen responsive interactions and increase meaningful conversations with children.

Through coaching, reflection, and practical strategies, participants create language-rich environments that support communication and early brain development.

Learn more

DECA

DECA helps child care professionals strengthen children's social and emotional development through observation, reflection, and intentional support. Participants learn strategies that build resilience, positive relationships, and protective factors that support lifelong success.

Learning Language & Loving It™

Learning Language & Loving It™ helps child care professionals build children's language skills through everyday interactions and routines.

Participants learn practical strategies to encourage conversation, expand vocabulary, and create meaningful opportunities for communication throughout the day.

ELL Specialization Participant Spotlight

Hear from ELL Specialization participant Vimala Kumari as she shares how the program strengthened her teaching practices, increased meaningful interactions with children, and supported her professional growth.
‍

Small Business Support Coaches

Small Business Support Specialists provide child care programs with fiscal and operational management resources and coaching. We believe that strong and sustainable child care businesses support our organization's goal to provide quality care for children in Tennessee.

Small Business Support

Coordinator

Mary Shell

Mary_Shell

signalcenters.org

Small Business Support

Assistant Coordinator

Kristen Osborne

Kristen_Osborne

signalcenters.org

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Person

Catherine Bennett

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves Williamson, Wilson, Sumner, and Robertson Counties

Catherine_Bennett

signalcenters.org

Small Business Support

Small Business Support

Central

Mid Cumberland

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Chastiney Phifer

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves Shelby County

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support

Shelby County

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Elizabeth Bryant

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves West Region

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support

West

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Melissa Joiner

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves Shelby County

melissa_joiner

signalcenters.org

Small Business Support

Small Business Support

Shelby County

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Michelle Dedman

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves Davidson County (Greater Nashville Area): ZIP Codes 37013, 37203, 37204, 37205, 37206, 37207, 37208, 37209, 37210, 37211, 37212, 37215, 37216, 37217, 37218, 37221, 37228, 37232

Michelle_Dedman

signalcenters.org

Small Business Support

Small Business Support

Central

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Nicole O'Neal

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves Cocke, Grainger, Hamblen Counties and Upper East Region

Nicole_ONeal

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Small Business Support

Upper East

East

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Sara MacNicoll

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves South Central Region

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support

South Central

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Shavone White

Small Business Support Specialsit

Serves Stewart, Montgomery, Houston, Humphreys, Dickson, and Cheatham Counties

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signalcenters.org

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Mid Cumberland

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Tammy Brewer

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves West Region

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Small Business Support

Small Business Support

West

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Taryn Tarr-Burnworth

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves Rutherford County; Davidson County (Hermitage, Donelson, Old Hickory, Madison, Joelton): ZIP Codes 37072, 37076, 37080, 37115, 37138, 37189, 37214, 37229

Taryn_Tarr

signalcenters.org

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Travis Burnett

Small Business Support Specialist

Serves East Region

Travis_Burnett

signalcenters.org

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Why small business matters

Free TN CCR&R Resources

The Tennessee Child Care Resource & Referral Network has designed free, downloadable resources to support learning and development in a variety of ways. From lesson plans to parenting tips to program management tools, there's something here for everyone. Feel free to explore and make the most of these valuable resources!

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Missing ProSolutions Training on TNPAL
Educator
August 9, 2024
New Hire Pre + Post Test
Educator
March 14, 2025
How Can Small Business Help You?
Educator
August 9, 2024
TNPAL Affiliation Process
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Emergency Preparedness

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