Nicole Piper

Piper is director of CCRR, a not-for-profit program and agency of the Council of Churches of the Ozarks.

“I have a supportive and influential family that I often seek out for advice,” Piper said. “My husband and mother are often my trusted sounding board. I also have great leadership within the Council of Churches of the Ozarks staff that I call for guidance and wisdom. Last, but certainly not least, we have a great team at Child Care Resource and Referral, and I continually look to each of them for input and expertise.”

Through personal consultation, Piper’s organization assists parents in their search for quality childcare. Piper has been director for seven years.

“It has been a rewarding experience from Day 1,” she said. Piper said she is working to educate the general public about the importance of early childhood education.

“Every day CCRR and other early childhood advocates reach out to educate through one avenue or another,” Piper said. “My personal goal is to continue to assist with these efforts in any way possible. My dream would be that everyone sees the value and importance of early childhood on our society.”

Piper volunteers her time to several community groups that focus on early childhood issues, including the Missouri Child Care Resource and Referral Network, Community Partnership’s Early Care and Education Committee, Ozarks Association for the Education of Young Children, Ozarks Technical Community College Early Childhood Advisory Board and Webster County Child Care Partnership.

Born: 1973

What’s your favorite Web site? Of course, the Child Care Resource and Referral Web site, www.ccochild care.org.

What book do you currently have open? “Marley & Me,” by John Grogan. This book is a true story about the Grogan family and the adventures they encountered with their loyal, loving and sometimes disobedient Labrador retriever, Marley. Throughout the book, the reader learns about the important life lessons that Marley taught this family.