Meeting Public Comments

Names and comments are public records. Remaining information is considered a confidential record.

Comments Submitted:

01-14-2026

Jeannine Laughlin [Iowa Child Care Coalition]

It would be most beneficial to providers in Iowa to codify this pilot program and make childcare workers in Iowa eligible for the Childcare Assistance Program. Since the inception of the CCA Pilot Program, 1862 families have been served, with 179 new employees in centers across the state being hired (data as of September 2025) which is a recruitment rate of appx. 10% (assuming only one adult per family was working in childcare.Since the CCA Workforce Polit started, 1, 383 cases have been eligible for renewal. Of those cases, 295 have submitted renewals and been approved for the pilot program again. The retention fate in the CCA for the Workforce Pilot Program would be 21.3%.The ROI for the state of Iowa, when considering childcare breakdowns cost the state almost $1 billion/year in lost revenue is significant. Childcare is necessary for all communities in Iowa, to grow and recruit young families to smaller communities in our state, and have the infrastructure needed to keep them there and keep all our communities thriving, allowing not only those working in the childcare industry to be able to go to work and have access to childcare, but without a workforce in childcare our other citizens in other industries such as medical, factory workers, grocery store employees, public safety employees can't go to work.Please codify this bill and retain the childcare workforce.

01-20-2026

Kayla Schroeder [Bluff's Little Thinkers]

The Iowa Child Care Assistance (CCA) Pilot Program for Early Childhood Educators has been a transformative initiative, allowing child care professionals to access child care assistance regardless of income. In a field where the average annual wage is just $25,880, many child care workers struggle to afford care for their own children. Many educators may be forced to leave their positions due to the high cost of child care, exacerbating existing shortages in the industry. The pilot program has been instrumental in encouraging continued employment among child care workers, with majority of workers indicating that it influenced their decision to stay in the field . Eliminating this support could cripple the workforce, making it even more difficult for families to find quality child care services. On a personal note, as a dedicated child care professional with nearly 20 years of experience in Iowa, the CCA Pilot Program has been invaluable to my family. My son, Kaydrian, is nonverbal and autistic, requiring specialized care and attention. Thanks to this program, I can bring him to quality childcare, ensuring he is in a safe and nurturing environment. Without this assistance, I would be forced to leave the profession I am passionate about to care for him.Maintaining and expanding the CCA Pilot Program is essential for sustaining Iowa's child care workforce and ensuring that children receive the quality care they deserve. By providing support to educators, the state invests in the wellbeing of those caring for Iowa's children.