Yesterday (Tuesday), Gov. Kim Reynolds announced the final round of COVID-era stipends for licensed childcare providers, opening the application period through Jan. 12, 2024. Stipend amounts, ranging from $10,000 to $50,000, will be based on program size and the volume of applications received. These funds aim to aid with one-time expenses related to employee recruitment, retention, minor renovations, and equipment upgrades. Interested parties can access the stipend application and gather more details on the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) website, a link to which is included with this story online. Reynolds says, “Child care is the catalyst that drives economic growth. At a time when most parents work outside the home, access to reliable, safe, and affordable child care allows parents to pursue their careers and contribute to the productivity and growth of our economy.” In addition to more than $218 million in grants awarded during the pandemic, HHS has also launched programs supporting employee retention and recruitment bonuses, assistance for childcare workers, and fostering partnerships between childcare centers and local businesses to enhance wages. Lack of access to child care is regularly listed as one of the top economic issues facing Iowans, alongside affordable housing, inflation, and supply chain disruptions.
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