One of the most pressing issues facing Iowa's workforce is the ability to find affordable, accessible child care. Not only does this impact individual Iowans, but it also impacts the ability for employers to hire and retain workers. In response to this challenge, Governor Reynolds launched the Child Care Taskforce to develop a comprehensive strategy to address the child care shortage and barriers to work in Iowa.
On November 3, 2021, Governor Reynolds, along with stakeholders, released the recommendations from the report. Based on the recommendations, Governor Reynolds is implementing a childcare management system, creating additional funding opportunities, and introducing new initiatives to support working families and Iowaβs child care system. Check out some of the great funding programs that IWD has supported that are creating and expanding new child care opportunities across Iowa.
CHILD CARE BUSINESS INCENTIVE GRANT
The Child Care Business Incentive Grant Program, in conjunction with Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) and the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is targeted at helping employers offer or expand child care options as a benefit to their employees. Funds support local infrastructure investments to build or expand child care capacity, or support arrangements between employers and child care facilities to expand and reserve child care slots.
Second Round of Child Care Business Incentive Grant Awards announced on January 9, 2023.
First Round of Child Care Business Incentive Grant Awards announced on Sept. 13, 2022.
Summaries and Award Information
- Child Care Business Incentive 2022 Award Summaries (PDF)
- Child Care Business Incentive 2022 Awards Map (PDF)
CHILD CARE CHALLENGE FUND
The Child Care Challenge Fund supports regional and community projects to establish local child care facilities and increase the availability of quality, affordable child care for working Iowans. Child Care Challenge grants support community projects to establish local child care facilities, while HHS child care grants provide support for equipment, personnel, training, and supplies for new or ongoing child care facilities.
Latest round of Child Care Challenge Funding Awards (announced on Jan. 12, 2022)
- Press release: Governor Reynolds awards $36.6 million in child care grants
Summaries and Award Information
PREVIOUS CHILD CARE AWARDS:
- Child Care 2021 Award Summaries (PDF)
- Child Care 2021 Award Map (PDF)
- 2021 & 2022 Child Care Awards by City (Map)
- 2021 & 2022 Child Care Awards Overlay (Map)
RELATED RESOURCES
- Read the report: Governor Reynolds' Child Care Task Force Report
- Funding Opportunities: Iowa Department of Health & Human Services
- Community Development Block Grant Community Facilities
ADDITIONAL CHILD CARE RESOURCES FOR IOWANS
- Overall Child Care Information: Iowa Department of Health and Human Services
- Child Care Providers: Iowa Department of Health & Human Services
- Child Care Tax Credits
- Child Care Resource and Referral
- US Small Business Administration - SBA Loan Programs for Small Businesses
- US Small Business Administration 7(a) Loan Program - For Borrowers
- USDA - OneRD Guarantee Loan Initiative: Business & Industry Loan Guarantees
- USDA - Community Facilities Direct Loan & Grant
- Estimated Cost of the Child Care Shortage in Iowa (PDF)
- Untapped Potential: How Childcare Impacts Iowa's State Economy (PDF)