We’re thrilled to announce an exciting new chapter for children and families across Santa Barbara County!

Effective July 1, 2025, Children’s Resource & Referral of Santa Barbara County (CRR) and the Santa Maria Valley Discovery Museum (SMVDM) have officially merged to become the Children’s Resource & Referral Discovery Museum.

This transformative merger combines two trusted organizations with one shared mission: to ignite the potential of every child through hands-on exploration, educational access, and family support.

Why This Merger Matters:

Together, we are creating a one-stop hub where families can discover child care resources, engage in interactive learning, and access programs that bridge playful discovery with school readiness. This new model strengthens our:

💡 Educational Continuum – From playful learning to early education support
🌱 Community Reach – Deeper engagement across all communities, especially those       underserved
🔧 Operational Capacity – Shared resources in HR, IT, and finance
🌍 Program Innovation – STEM nights, “Stay & Play” hours, mobile exhibits, and more!
A New Era of Impact:

Backed by CRR’s operational capacity and the Discovery Museum’s legacy of joyful discovery, we are now poised to serve over more annual visitors through enriched programming, extended hours, and multilingual outreach.

This is more than a merger—it’s a movement toward a vibrant, inclusive future for children and families across the Central Coast.

We invite you to explore, connect, and grow with us. Welcome to the future of learning and support—all under one roof.