Child Care Task Force
Governor Reynolds launched the Child Care Taskforce to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the child care shortage and barriers to work in Iowa. On November 3, 2021, Governor Reynolds, along with stakeholders, released the recommendations from the report. Based on the recommendations, Governor Reynolds is implementing a childcare management system, creating additional funding opportunities, and introducing new initiatives to support working families and Iowa’s child care system.
Read the report: Governor Reynolds' Child Care Task Force Report
Support for the Early Childhood Workforce Website
Shared Services Public Update (March 2022)
Child Care Projects
Future Ready Iowa Child Care Challenge grants support community projects to establish local child care facilities. The Department of Human Services and Iowa Workforce Development worked together to strategically award DHS child care grants and Child Care Challenge grants to all eligible applicants throughout the state. Child Care Challenge grants support community projects to establish local child care facilities, while DHS child care grants provide support for equipment, personnel, training, and supplies for new or ongoing child care facilities.
Child Care Challenge
New 2022 Awards Announced - Visit the Child Care Challenge page
Press release: Governor Reynolds awards $36.6 million in child care grants
Previous awards:
Summary of the 2021 Child Care Challenge Awards
2021 Future Ready Iowa Child Care Challenge Fund Award map (PDF)
Child Care Resources in Iowa for Businesses and Communities
Early Childhood Iowa Local Boards
Funding Opportunities - Department of Human Services
Community Development Block Grant Community Facilities
Child Care Resources in Iowa for Families and Providers
Child Care Resource and Referral
Additional Resources
US Small Business Administration - SBA Loan Programs for Small Businesses
US Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program - For Borrowers
USDA - OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative: Business & Industry Loan Guarantees
USDA - Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant
Additional Child Care Task Force Documents
Executive Order Number Eight (Child Care Taskforce)
Watch the Governor's March 10, 2021, Press Conference
Governor Reynolds Announces Child Care Task Force Virtual Town Hall Meetings
Basics of Civic Engagement with the Iowa State Legislature (PDF)
Child Care Task Force Meeting - April 5, 2021
The first meeting for the Governor’s Child Care Task Force was held on April 5. Resouces from the meeting are provided below:
Recording: Child Care Task Force Meeting
Iowa's Child Care Task Force: What are the problems and what are the solutions? (Video)
Child Care Task Force Meeting Agenda - April 5, 2021
Introduction video (Meeting on April 5, 2021)
Child Care Task Force Meeting Presentation (PDF)
Child Care Task Force Meeting Chat Discussion (PDF)
Untapped Potential: How Childcare Impacts Iowa's State Economy (PDF)
Early Childhood Programs' Scarcity Undermines America's Rural Communities (PDF)
Estimated Cost of the Child Care Shortage in Iowa (PDF)
Contact cctaskforce@iwd.iowa.gov for more information.
Previous events
Child Care Task Force Meeting - July 14, 2021 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Meeting agenda (July 14, 2021)
Child Care Task Force Meeting June 24, 2021 12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
Virtual Town Hall Meeting June 1 – 6pm to 8pm
The second Virtual Town Hall meeting was held on June 1, 2021 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm for child care providers.
Child Care Task Force Meeting June 2, 2021 - 1pm to 3pm
Virtual Town Hall Meeting May 6, 2021 - 6pm to 8pm
The first Virtual Town Hall meeting was held on May 6, 2021 from 6:00pm – 8:00pm for parents with children in child care.