The U.S. Census Bureau reports that Iowa’s foreign-born population has increased by 36.8% from 2000 to 2010. Of that population, 26% live in Polk County. A 2011 LSI survey documented the need for adequate and culturally appropriate childcare in the refugee community. As a result, LSI trained 23 women from the Karen, Bhutanese, Iraqi, Burundi, and Burmese communities in First Aid, CPR, nutrition standards, and the prevention and control of infectious diseases. Participants were guided through the licensure process as in-home child care providers. The grant will be used to expand this successful program.
