Advocacy for Early Beginnings: Supporting Iowa's Child Care System

posted by Mary Janssen on Wednesday, May 13, 2026

A strong child care system depends on thoughtful policy, a stable workforce, and access to reliable resources for families. Through our Child Care Resource & Referral (CCRR) work, we engage at both the state and national levels to help strengthen Iowa’s child care system, ensuring families can access quality care and providers have the support they need to build sustainable programs.

Children & Family Services Update
April marked encouraging progress for Iowa families and the child care workforce. Lawmakers advanced legislation to make permanent a child care assistance program supporting child care workers—an important step toward workforce stability and consistent access to quality care across the state.

This policy progress reflects what child care providers and families have long emphasized: when the workforce is supported, children thrive, parents are better able to work and plan for the future, and communities grow stronger. Stable child care is not only essential to early development—it is foundational to a healthy workforce and economy.

Advocating Beyond Iowa
In addition to state-level efforts, EPI’s Child Care Resource & Referral team continues to engage nationally to help shape conversations around child care access, affordability, and workforce sustainability. Just this week, team members joined child care leaders and policymakers in Washington, D.C., during the Child Care Aware of America Symposium, sharing Iowa’s perspective and learning alongside peers from across the country.

For the past two years, Iowa has also been selected to present at the symposium, highlighting the strong partnership between Iowa Child Care Resource & Referral and Iowa Health and Human Services. This collaboration serves as a model for other states, demonstrating how coordinated efforts can strengthen systems, support providers, and improve access for families.

These national conversations help elevate the realities facing families and providers while reinforcing the need for long-term solutions that reflect lived experience. By participating at both the state and national levels, EPI helps ensure Iowa’s families and child care professionals remain part of shaping how policy evolves.

Looking Ahead
As child care policies continue to take shape, advocacy remains essential. EPI is committed to promoting thoughtful, practical solutions that support families, strengthen the workforce, and expand access to quality care, today and into the future.

If you’re interested in staying informed or getting involved, we invite you to learn more and lend your voice alongside ours. Visit our advocacy page to learn more about how you can support children, families, and providers across Iowa.