November 4, 2021
On March 10, 2021, Governor Reynolds launched the Child Care Task Force to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the child care shortage and barrier to work in Iowa. A wide array of stakeholders representing child care providers, business, economic development, city government, Child Care Resource & Referral and the Iowa Women’s Foundation served on the Task Force. On November 3, 2021, the Task Force released final recommendations.
One Task Force recommendation is to “develop a shared services model that allows child care providers access to a statewide, web-based partnership platform for support on various business operations.” The Task Force recognized that business training and financial management coaching, automation and shared services are promising practice strategies to ensure cost-effective administration to maximize resources and ensure sustainability of child care businesses.
Early Childhood Iowa, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Human Services and with technical assistance from Opportunities Exchange, is launching a multi-phase project with proven success in other states. The Business Supports to Create Sustainable Outcomes for the Child Care Industry will implement strategies to increase profitability, sustainability, and quality of child care businesses throughout Iowa.
The project will:
Phase I Shared Services & Child Care Task Force - ECI link, flyer
We are excited to move forward with a project that will provide sustainable change for the child care industry and increase parents’ access to affordable, quality child care. Early Childhood Iowa will continue to provide progress updates to stakeholders that are part of or impacted by the child care industry as this project moves forward.
Thank you, Shanell Wagler Administrator, Early Childhood Iowa Iowa Department of Management
Tags: shared services , eci
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