The Childcare Solutions CEO & HR Leadership Summit brought together business leaders, educators, parents, and community partners to address one of Iowa’s most pressing workforce challenges: access to quality childcare. Two powerful panels explored the issue from different angles and spotlighted the Wage Enhancement Program (WEP) as the most effective solution currently making a difference.
The Data: The WEP Works
Laurie Nash, Youth and Family Services Manager for Johnson County, shared findings from the centers participating in the Wage Enhancement Program showing how strategic investment in childcare staff translates directly into stronger families, more stable businesses, and a healthier local economy.
- 77% of Iowa children ages 0 to 6 have all parents in the workforce
- 214 full-time childcare staff supported
- 10 licensed centers have participated since launch
- Full-time staff openings decreased by more than 60%
- Staffing levels increased by over 55%
- Enrollment of children ages 0 to 5 grew by 53
- Children supported through Child Care Assistance increased by 23%
These results make it clear that when we invest in providers, we invest in our entire economy.
Panel 1: Business & Community Leaders
The opening panel featured CEOs, HR executives, and community leaders who see firsthand how childcare gaps affect operations, talent retention, and the broader workforce. Jenn Bleil, Chief People Officer at GreenState Credit Union, Damon John, General Manager at Riverside Casino & Golf Resort, and Megan Alter, Iowa City Councilor and Senior Manager at ACT, shared insights from both private and public perspectives.
Discussion Highlights:
- The Business Case for Childcare: Leaders described how unreliable childcare leads to absenteeism, turnover, and lost productivity.
- Employer Strategies: While flexible scheduling and partnerships help, panelists agreed that WEP is the most impactful lever, helping stabilize staffing at childcare centers and, in turn, supporting their own workforce.
- Public and Private Alignment: Councilor Alter highlighted how childcare access is a shared responsibility because it directly tied to community vitality and workforce participation. When families can find reliable care, local economies grow stronger and more resilient.
- Shared Vision: Childcare is no longer a perk; it is essential infrastructure for economic growth and talent retention.
Panel 2: Directors, Parents, and Board Leaders
The second panel brought the conversation closer to the classroom, featuring center directors, board members, and parents including Chelsey Markle (Executive Director, The Arc of Southeast Iowa), and Ashley Cooney (Board President, Loving Arms; parent).
Discussion Highlights:
- Operational Gains: Directors reported fuller classrooms and more consistent staffing because of WEP.
- Family Impact: Parents emphasized how reliable care reduces stress and improves job performance.
- Teacher Perspective: Laine Forbes (Teacher, Home Ties; WEP recipient) called the program “a huge boost,” adding that she no longer needs to look for another job. That stability matters for her and for the children who thrive on consistent, trusted caregivers during the most formative years of brain development. A $2 wage enhancement represents roughly a 15 percent boost in pay, mirroring the same percentage that the average household spends on childcare each month.
- A Real-Life Snapshot: When Sophia Surom (Lead Teacher, Bill Reagan Children’s Center; WEP recipient) was called to cover her daycare classroom moments before the event, Tomeka Magnani (HCBS Program Director, The Arc of Southeast Iowa) stepped in to share Sophia’s story. It was a fitting example of the daily flexibility and commitment required of childcare professionals. (You can still hear Sophia’s perspective in the event video HERE.)
- Collaboration: Boards and directors are uniting to advocate for sustainable funding and workforce development solutions.
Why It Matters
Childcare professionals are the workforce behind the workforce. Without them, businesses cannot thrive and families cannot work with confidence. The Wage Enhancement Program is proving to be a critical lever in stabilizing this sector and ensuring Iowa’s economy remains strong.
Take Action: Join the Employer Pledge
Your business can be part of the solution. By signing the Employer Childcare Pledge, you help expand access, retain skilled educators, and strengthen our regional workforce.
✅ Invest in Iowa’s future.
✅ Show leadership in building a stronger economy.
✅ Support the workforce behind the workforce.
Sign the Employer Pledge Today HERE
