Gov. Kim Reynolds | governor.iowa.gov
Gov. Kim Reynolds | governor.iowa.gov
Childcare in the state of Iowa has been a main concern for Gov. Kim Reynolds, fellow legislators and the Department of Human Services, and last week DHS announced a $30 million bonus program that will help child care providers bring in workers.
This is a recruitment and retention program designed to not only hire workers, but keep them around, according to a release from DHS. The state has invested $480 million to support child care since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. This program was recommended by the Governor’s Child Care Task Force as many economic sectors in the state have been struggling to find qualified help.
“Child care providers are a critical piece of the workforce shortage solution, providing the care and resources so many families rely on daily,” Reynolds said. “Because of their work, parents are able to return to or remain in the workforce. Their hard work and dedication deserves recognition and appreciation.”
Reynolds also discussed child care at length during her Condition of the State address. She said that Iowa has taken a “bottom-up approach” and last legislative session the Childcare Challenge was created, which has providers apply for grants. In less than a year grants were awarded that create 4,000 new child care spots in Iowa, and this number will be growing.
“Because of the positive results from the Childcare Challenge, and because of the overwhelming number of outstanding applicants, I’m announcing that the state is expanding this program to provide another 5,000-plus childcare openings across the state,” Reynolds said.
In an effort to get more children into care, a proposed bill would change the worker-to-child ratio to one worker being able to watch eight 2-year-olds instead of six. It also allows one worker to watch 10 3-year-olds instead of eight.
The state loses $935 million each year as a result of a lack of child care, according to a report by the Governor’s Child Care Task Force in November 2021. The lack of child care spots is reportedly partly due to low wages.
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