Building Strong Foundations for Iowa Families

posted by Mary Janssen on Tuesday, October 27, 2026

Every day, parents across Iowa face one of life’s most important questions: Who will care for my child while I'm at work or providing for my family?

Finding child care can feel overwhelming. Families often weigh availability, location, quality, cost, and schedules, all while trying to balance the demands of daily life. For many, knowing where to begin can be the hardest part.

That's why access to trusted information and resources matters.

Child Care Resource & Referral (CCR&R) organization for Northeast Iowa helps families navigate their child care search while also supporting providers through training, consultation, and professional development opportunities. Every referral, resource, and training helps strengthen the child care network that families depend on each day.

Throughout the year, our team connects with families searching for care and providers working to enhance the quality of their programs. While those conversations may look different, they share a common goal: ensuring children have access to safe, nurturing environments where they can learn and grow.

But EPI’s commitment to child care doesn’t stop there. They are also proud to partner with Hawkeye Community College through the Hawkeye Child Development Center - ALC. Located in downtown Waterloo, the center serves children from infancy through preschool age, providing care and early learning opportunities that support healthy development during some of the most important years of life.

Though CCR&R and EPI’s Hawkeye Child Development Center - ALC serve different purposes, both are rooted in the same belief: when children and families have access to the support they need, entire communities benefit.

Every referral made, provider trained, child enrolled, and meal served helps strengthen the foundation upon which children grow, families succeed, and communities thrive.

This article was originally posted in our FY26 Annual Impact Report - view the whole report here.