Meeting Public Comments

Subcommittee meeting and times are as follows:

Attendance at subcommittee meetings by lobbyists and the public is via zoom or in-person. See agenda for zoom details. Only authenticated users are permitted access.

SSB 3111

A bill for an act relating to early childhood and family services, including the creation of an early childhood and family services system, state child care assistance for the child care workforce, making appropriations, and including effective date provisions.(See SF 2462.)

Agenda

Subcommittee members: Warme-CH, Evans, Trone Garriott

Date: Thursday, February 12, 2026

Time: 1:00 PM - 1:30 PM

Location: Room G15

Comments Submitted:

The purpose of comments is to provide information to members of the subcommittee.

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

02-09-2026

Shelley Conover [Ida County ECI Chair ]

Senate Study Bill 3111 proposes changes that would dismantle Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) as a locally driven system, replacing it with a centralized, one size fits all approach. For years, ECI partnerships have allowed communities to identify and respond to their unique needs, building coordinated services that reflect local priorities and resources. Shifting to a uniform statewide model risks weakening community voice, reducing flexibility, and undermining programs that have been tailored to support families and young children effectively at the local level. Policies impacting early childhood services should strengthen local collaboration rather than replace it with a cookie cutter system that may not serve every community equally well.

02-10-2026

Rachel Bardwell [Short Years Partnership]

I urge you to vote NO on this bill. The localized structure of Early Childhood Iowa is an asset and a strength in providing services to families. The families and children in each county deserve an individualized approach that meets the needs of each unique community, rather than a 'big government' approach that would occur by reorganizing into much larger regions. Smaller, localized control allows each area to pivot as needed in times of crisis and change. Further, families tend to trust people they know from their communities. Families do not always trust HHS. I worry that local providers will have issues recruiting families, and also getting community buyin, in general, if they become more aligned with HHS. Please vote NO on SSB 3111.

02-10-2026

Michelle Breach [Shalom Preschool]

I am writing as an early childhood educator asking you to vote NO on SB3111. Please continue to support the local control and local responsiveness of the Early Childhood Iowa boards. I have been a resident of Urbandale IA for 12 years and in that time have seen the community change with an increased need for services for at risk children. Early Childhood Iowa is able to address differences and changes in community demographics, employer needs, and availability of childcare providers. Local boards form partnerships, encourage collaboration, and maximize funding from a variety of sources. Please continue to support their important work.

02-10-2026

Sally Hartley [Retired]

Bill SSB 3111 would be a significant detriment to services for children and families, communities, and local service providers. The ECI system (formerly known as Community Empowerment) has been successful in the state of Iowa as a means to provide and implement services locally. These options for services have been built through the hard work and planning of local providers and community partners (health, social services, etc.). The original intent of the legislation was to build the system from the bottom through the local areas who know best what is needed in their areas and can lead the local discussion to plan and provide. It would be so negative for this bill to pass as it will push back services to address needs of children, providers, and communities. If something needs to improve, make those changes to the current system, do not throw out the current system as it will take many years to improve and provide for children, families and communities.

02-11-2026

Sandy Maxa [Former preschool teacher, mom and resident of a small town in southwestern Iowa]

As a former preschool teacher and community member who cares about the welfare of all children, I am opposed to SSB 3111. I urge you to vote against it.

02-11-2026

Peggy Hardy [Early Childhood Educator]

Vote "No" for SSB 3111. This bill includes loss of local control (accessibility, flexibility, greater understanding of needs...) and transfers control to a large bureaucratic entity. Efficiency and effectiveness are rarely solved by more red tape. Many atrisk families are leery of HHS, which may adversely impact them in receiving services.

02-11-2026

KIM BONJOUR-EITEMAN [Perry Child Development Center]

ECI already works to minimize state appropriations, and build collaborations locally to keep programs accountable. It keeps response times quickly for childcare providers which is critcally important as well as support families. This bill works well to aid children and families, why change what already is successful. please vote no on bill SSB 3111.

02-11-2026

Randy Kuhlman [Fort Dodge Community Foundation and United Way]

Our United Way organization works with our local ECI organization, and we see the positive impact is makes in our community. The local ECI organizations and boards know their communities well and can respond to community needs effectively. Transitioning to a much larger district is a big mistake that would have a very negative impact on local services in our communities. More state control from Des Moines is a bad idea. The best government and services provided are at the local level. I encourage you to vote NO on the IHHS proposal to eliminate the 34 ECI boards and consolidate them into 7 districts covering 12 to 18 counties. Thank you.

02-11-2026

Barb Riley [Calhoun County Public Health]

I received home visitation services over 20 years ago through our ECI area, because I had a child with delays. I now direct an agency that provides home visitation services for families through ECI. I have seen local services and collaboration work 100 times better than state operated services. This is vitally important to rural areas. Vote no to SSB311.

02-11-2026

Elizabeth Schmitz

I oppose SSB 3111 and the elimination of Early Childhood Iowa (ECI). The bill raises serious concerns about funding clarity, service continuity, and the loss of a proven accountability structure. HSB 623 dismantles the current model in which local ECI boards hold grants from HHS and subgrant funds to community providers, without explaining how nearly 450 providers statewide would be funded. ECI already has strong, documented accountability: local boards submit annual budgets for HHS approval, upload monthly financial reports, report program and outcome data, and undergo annual independent audits. ECI braids state, federal, local, and private dollars to maximize impact and reduce reliance on state funds. Centralizing funds under HHS would reduce flexibility, weaken local partnerships, and slow responses to community needs. Iowa should strengthen systems that work not replace them with a centralized model that increases uncertainty for families and providers.

02-11-2026

Pam Harklau [Hamilton County Public Health]

As an Public Health Dept that offers these services we oppose these proposed changes due to serious concerns about the loss of local control and the centralization of decisionmaking authority in Des Moines. These changes would eliminate critical programs that support the education and health of young children across Iowa.Additionally, the addition part of this bill has deep concerns that the creation of formal HHS Districts represents a first step toward dismantling local public health services in a future legislative session. This shift would significantly impact local residents who rely on accessible, communitybased services supported by local resources and tailored to local needs.

02-11-2026

Leslie M McCarthy

02-11-2026

Amanda Grems [100 Acre Woods Childcare ]

Public Comment Request to Vote NOI respectfully urge you to vote NO on this bill relating to early childhood and family services as currently written.As a child care provider operating daily under state licensing requirements, staffing ratios, and safety regulations, I am deeply concerned about how changes to Child Care Assistance (CCA), particularly for the child care workforce, would impact programs like mine and the families we serve.CCA for the child care workforce has been a critical stabilization tool in our field. Early childhood educators are among the lowestpaid professionals, yet many of them have young children of their own. Without workforce CCA, these educators would face an impossible situation: working in child care while being unable to afford care for their own children.This support has directly helped retain qualified staff, reduce turnover, and allow centers to remain adequately staffed to meet statemandated ratios. When programs cannot maintain ratios, it do

02-11-2026

Eugene Kiruhura [Shalom Community Impact Center and Shalom Covenant Church ]

I am writing as an early childhood educator asking you to vote NO on SB3111. Please continue to support the local control and local responsiveness of the Early Childhood Iowa boards. I have been a resident of Urbandale IA for 13 years annd Pastor of Shalom Covenant Church in that time have seen the community change with an increased need for services for at risk children. Early Childhood Iowa is able to address differences and changes in community demographics, employer needs, and availability of childcare providers. Local boards form partnerships, encourage collaboration, and maximize funding from a variety of sources. Please continue to support their important work.

02-11-2026

Eugene Kiruhura [Shalom Community Impact Center and Shalom Covenant Church ]

I am writing as an early childhood educator asking you to vote NO on SB3111. Please continue to support the local control and local responsiveness of the Early Childhood Iowa boards. I have been a resident of Urbandale IA for 13 years annd Pastor of Shalom Covenant Church in that time have seen the community change with an increased need for services for at risk children. Early Childhood Iowa is able to address differences and changes in community demographics, employer needs, and availability of childcare providers. Local boards form partnerships, encourage collaboration, and maximize funding from a variety of sources. Please continue to support their important work.

02-11-2026

Eugene Kiruhura [Shalom Community Impact Center & Shalom Covenant Church ]

I am writing as an early childhood educator asking you to vote NO on SB3111. Please continue to support the local control and local responsiveness of the Early Childhood Iowa boards. I have been a resident of Urbandale IA for 13 years and I am Pastor of Shalom Covenant Church in that time have seen the community change with an increased need for services for at risk children. Early Childhood Iowa is able to address differences and changes in community demographics, employer needs, and availability of childcare providers. Local boards form partnerships, encourage collaboration, and maximize funding from a variety of sources. Please continue to support their important work.

02-11-2026

Megan Waterman

My name is Megan Waterman, and I serve as Chair of the Linn County Early Childhood Iowa Board. I am writing to strongly urge you to vote NO on SSB 3111. This bill would dismantle the locally driven ECI structure and replace it with a centralized system under HHS, removing decisionmaking from the communities who know their families best. Our board understands Linn Countys unique needs and directs funding where it has the greatest impact. The current model leverages local dollars, volunteers, and partnerships to stretch every state investment. Centralization risks higher costs, less flexibility, and disruption to vital services families rely on for child care, health, and support. These trusted relationships should not be jeopardized by an unnecessary reorganization. The ECI system is working and provides both accountability and local control. Please protect our families and communities by voting NO on SSB 3111.

02-11-2026

Teresa Van Hulzen [South Central Calhoun School]

As a school employee in rural Iowa, I strongly oppose efforts to eliminate ECI. This program is vital in helping highneeds families access early intervention and other services close to home. When services are consolidated into larger regions, rural families often receive fewer services or fall through the cracks entirely. Our children deserve equal access to a strong educational start, regardless of where they live. Please protect ECI and the local support it provides.

02-11-2026

Val Cameron [EC educator]

Vote No to eliminate ECI.Thank you for the opportunity to provide public comment. I am deeply concerned about the proposed elimination of ECI.Local control allows communities to respond to the specific needs of their families and children. Early childhood programs are not onesizefitsall, and local flexibility has been essential in addressing gaps in access, supporting working families, and ensuring young children receive the foundational services they need to succeed in school and beyond. Early childhood investments are proven to strengthen workforce readiness, improve educational outcomes, and support longterm economic stability. Decisions that limit local decisionmaking could have lasting consequences for children, families, and communities across Iowa.I respectfully urge decisionmakers to carefully consider the longterm impacts of this change and to preserve local control funding that allows communities to best serve their youngest residents.

02-11-2026

Larissa Boeck

OPPOSE. This bill reduces local control and autonomy by centralizing more authority in statelevel systems, potentially overriding or reshaping decisions by Early Childhood Iowa area boards. Historically the GOP claimed to be the party of small government but this bill would switch from community driven priorities to a top down mandate, harming rural and diverse areas where local needs differ. This new statewide system would also add bureaucratic red tape which would lead to delays in services, increased paperwork for providers, and reduced flexibility for families seeking child care assistance. This bill would harm access to quality early education and family supports in a state already facing child care shortages. Please vote no.

02-12-2026

Joyce Westphal

I urge you to vote No on SSB 3111 and continue funding local Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) boards. As a Licensed Independent Social Worker (LISW) providing mental health therapy to families in rural Iowa for 36 years and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation for the past seven, I see firsthand the intense stress facing young children, families, and the professionals who support them. Local ECI boards have long strengthened Iowas communities by ensuring services reach the children and providers who need them most. ECI board members are uniquely positioned through trusted local relationships to identify gaps, respond quickly, and hold programs accountable. They are deeply invested in the responsible use of public funds and in creating lasting, positive outcomes for children, families, and the professionals who serve them in their communities. Please protect these vital services and the local systems that make them effective.

02-12-2026

Sandy Nelson [Early Childhood Director]

The local access and support from thr current ECI Boards had been amazing. We are visited regularly without having to call and ask for help, we are supported through the IQ4K process, and provided with small grant opportunities to keep our programs stimulating for the children. Our ECI team offers professional development and ensures funding for training of our staff. If this is broken down to a state level, local businesses will not be as aware of the EC programs in their area and will not provide funding to help supplement the state dollars. That end with a net loss for the children, families and providers of EC. Please vote NO on this bill. Keep ECI local and involved! As a 25 year veteran director, this change is not needed. Child care assistance for the EC workforce should continue this is a huge benefit and helps with recruitment of quality staff who also have young children.

02-12-2026

Debora Kellogg [Shalom Preschool]

I am writing as an early childhood educator asking you to vote NO on SB3111. Please continue to support the local control and local responsiveness of the Early Childhood Iowa boards. I have been a resident of Urbandale IA for 26 years and in that time have seen the community change with an increased need for services for at risk children. Early Childhood Iowa is able to address differences and changes in community demographics, employer needs, and availability of childcare providers. Local boards form partnerships, encourage collaboration, and maximize funding from a variety of sources. Please continue to support their important work.We would not be able to meet our children and families without ECI. We need to maintain local control in Polk County. We need to continue their focus on early childhood as the work here follows children throughout their school years. Please vote no on this bill!

02-12-2026

Christen Sewell Christen Sewell [Humboldt County Public Health]

I do not support this bill as a public health professional. It removes local control and centralizes decisionmaking away from the communities and families it impacts. It also eliminates important programs that support the education and health of young children across Iowa. Finally, this bill reflects a concerning lack of effort by senior department leadership to fully understand the full range of ECI services and how they holistically support young children statewide.

02-12-2026

Nina Utterback [Parents as Teachers]

I am asking for a no vote on SSB 3111. The local ECI board is vital to continue reliable support for families and children in my rural community. As a parent educator the benefits and support locally is so important when helping families and children meet needs locally. Local ECI board's are essential to supporting our rural communities and meeting children and families needs with a unique understanding of the of the communities they serve.

02-12-2026

J. Giles

Please vote No. Taking away local control will be very detrimental to those providers and educators that rely on local programs for their family and children. I believe losing resources that are provided locally from ECI would affect those in smaller counties. They would be forgotten and they are programs that benefit greatly from ECI programming.

02-12-2026

Kristie Nixon [Early Childhood and Family Support]

I am writing to respectfully urge you to vote NO on S3B3111. This legislation would remove important local control and weaken an asset that is vital to our communities. Decisions that directly affect our local institutions, resources, and residents are best made at the local levelby those who understand the unique needs, priorities, and character of the communities they serve. Local control by ECI ensures accountability, transparency, and responsiveness. S3B3111 would shift that balance in a way that could diminish community voice and undermine the longterm strength of ECI as a community asset. Families are reluctant to use HHS and to add more to HHS control will put children and families at risk. I encourage HHS to get their system in good order rather than throw more under HHS. Please stand with local communities and vote NO on S3B3111.

02-12-2026

Amy McGinn [Partnerships 4 Families]

Please vote NO on SSB3111. Policies impacting early childhood services should continue to focus on local collaboration, not force a onesizefitsall system that won't serve each community's unique needs.

02-12-2026

Lori Price [Hamilton County Public Health]

I have been serving families in my community through my local health department for 23 years. My title is Maternal/Child Health Coordinator, so I am involved in all Aspects of children and family services in our area. Our agency meets the early childhood/maternal needs of county residents through direct services (ex: HOPESHFI, EHS Maternal Health, WIC, 1st Five, etc.) as well as through referrals to other local agencies. Over the years, I have seen how invaluable it is for families to have members of their own community provide these services. It often starts with a family receiving services from one person/agency who is able to identify other needs and provide information/referrals to other local resources. The providers know and trust each other and feel confident that families will receive needed services. We receive funding from our local ECI and the collaboration provided through that source has been a blessing. Please vote NO on this bill and allow us to continue local control.

02-12-2026

Amanda Jaramillo Ayon

Please vote NO on bill SSB3111. I am a mental health provider and have been working with children and families in Southwest Iowa for many years. So far my experience working with ECI boards and directors has been excellent and it is very apparent that they are very deeply invested in the health and wellbeing of the children in their communities. Keeping the funding with local ECIs helps to ensure that Iowa's children are able to get access to services that are most needed in their own communities, and helps rural areas continue to get the support that they need. Please vote NO.

02-12-2026

Grace Rogers

AGAINST. This bill reduces local control and autonomy by centralizing more authority in state level systems, potentially overriding or reshaping decisions by Early Childhood Iowa area boards. Historically the GOP claimed to be the party of small government but this bill would switch from community driven priorities to a top down mandate, harming rural and diverse areas where local needs differ. This new statewide system would also add bureaucratic red tape which would lead to delays in services, increased paperwork for providers, and reduced flexibility for families seeking child care assistance. This bill would harm access to quality early education and family supports in a state already facing child care shortages. Please vote no.

02-12-2026

Dan Bittinger

As a county supervisor, I am against the consolidation that this bill would create. I believe ECI should be controlled at the local level and believe that proper accountability can be done by the state and local ECI boards. The consolidation of power at the state level will not lead to greater local effective childcare measures .The founders of our constitutional republic believed in local control and in a small central government; so, this bill does not honor the intent of our founders, Iowa citizens and many County Board of Supervisors.This Bill would try to circumvent the legislature which would open up an avalanche of lawsuits. Also, this undermines are duly elected officials and their job to create laws for our state.The department of HHS or any governor cannot override the laws that were created by a duly elected general assembly of the state of Iowa.

02-12-2026

Rozanne Warder Rozanne Warder [Mahaska Wapello Early Childhood Iowa]

Local boards were intentionally created so communities could respond to their unique needs. Removing that leadership risks slowing response times and weakening accountability. I support improvementbut not at the expense of local governance that has been working effectively. Local boards prevent duplication, align agencies, and respond quickly when providers are struggling. In rural communities that proximity reduces delays and keeps programs open. A centralized system may appear streamlined, but it risks slower response times and less precision in meeting local needs.Before dismantling a 20year communitybased model, we should clearly identify the problem we are solving and demonstrate that reform is necessary and proof thatshifting away from communities without clear evidence that doing so will improve outcomes.

Attachment