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Campaign Aims to Support Region’s Child Care Providers

Posted June 16, 2020

The Iowa City Area Business Partnership and the Iowa Women’s Foundation (IWF) have joined forces to launch a campaign to increase the recognition of child care providers as essential, professional workers. The statewide campaign, the CAREforce for our WORKforce, will also provide the public with information on how they can support child care providers during and after the pandemic.

“Pre-COVID-19, Johnson County had a shortfall of over 12,900 child care spaces. There were 2.4 children needing care for every one slot available. To make matters worse, the cost of child care in Johnson County is twice the national average. Last fall we helped organize a group of community leaders to identify viable doable grassroots solutions to address this issue and increase the availability of high quality, affordable child care. We are helping child care centers grow their workforce and continue their care through the pandemic and on. We are working alongside elected officials and passionate community activists to get legislation on the books that supports Iowa’s working families. And we are educating local businesses on why child care matters to their bottom lines,” said Jennifer Banta, Vice President of the Iowa City Area Business Partnership.  “This is why, it is important that we work together and support IWF’s efforts in recognizing the tremendous role child care professionals play in the lives of our children, families, businesses and communities.”

The Iowa City Area Business Partnership and IWF are currently distributing window clings, stickers, posters, and yard signs emblazed with the CAREforce for our WORKforce logo.  IWF has also launched a web page with information for those interested in helping their local providers.

“Child care workers are not babysitters—they are highly-trained professionals who provide the critical early childhood support kids need for success later in life,” said Dawn Oliver Wiand, Executive Director for IWF. “They’re essential for parents. They’re essential for businesses. And they are essential for society as we know it.”

The Iowa Women’s Foundation, that has found success with previous initiatives to bolster Iowa’s child care industry, said community-wide support will play an important role in the campaign’s effectiveness.

“Without the resources and support needed to survive, providers are closing their doors at alarming rates and many will not be able to reopen. We need a coordinated effort to stem this tide,” said Ms. Wiand. “That starts, first and foremost, with getting everyone in our state—parents, grandparents, business leaders, elected officials—to recognize child care providers as the essential professionals they are.” Individuals looking to support their local child care professionals can visit https://iawf.org/careforce for a list of supplies and services that can be donated. Those interested in participating in the CAREforce for our WORKforce campaign as a volunteer may contact dawn@iawf.org for more information.