News

Childcare Impact Report

Conducted in partnership with Common Sense Institue FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Nov. 19, 2024 Report shows 275 new childcare slots created in 7 communities participating in state pilot program DES MOINES — A state pilot program successfully increased the number of children who could enroll in childcare services in communities participating in the program, which improved wages

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Sheri Penney attends National Childcare Summit as expert panelist

IWF’s Employer Engagement Director, Sheri Penney, was a panelist at the first National Childcare Innovation Summit in Washington D.C. on June 27. Penney spoke about Iowa’s success using public/private partnerships to expand childcare – particularly with Wage Enhancement Programs. Listen to part of Sheri’s remarks in the video. View the full Summit. We asked Ms.

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IWF Founders Honored by Governor

Pictured left to right: Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, IWF Board Chair Anne Rierson, Ellen Heywood, Judy Leavitt, Monique DiCarlo, Phyllis Chang, Jean Jew, Governor Kim Reynolds. ANKENY, IOWA – Several IWF founders received a Governor’s Volunteer Award from Governor Kim Reynolds and Lt. Governor Adam Gregg during a special recognition ceremony held Tuesday, June 25th.

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IWF President & CEO Talks Childcare in Iowa

As Iowa legislation considers the latest childcare-related bill (HF 2056), IWF President & CEO Deann Cook was invited to sit down with WHO-13 Des Moines’ Jannay Towne to share more about the childcare crisis in Iowa and beyond. The bill aims to relieve the childcare workforce shortage by allowing childcare staff as young as 16

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Johnson County Child Care Coalition (4Cs)

IWF extends a special thank you to our 2023 Grant Partner, Johnson County Child Care Coalition, for guest writing this blog and for working to provide immediate and long-term solutions to help Iowans fight the child care barrier The Johnson County Child Care Coalition (4Cs) recently launched the Johnson County Wage Enhancement Program for the

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Waverly Child Care & Preschool Expansion

IWF extends a special thank you to our 2023 Grant Partner, Waverly Child Care & Preschool, for guest writing this blog and becoming a part of the solution for Iowa child care needs. Waverly Child Care & Preschool (WCCP) was founded in 1970 and has continued to grow to meet the Waverly and surrounding area’s

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Shooting Star Childcare: Elkhart’s Wish That Came True

IWF extends a special thank you to our 2023 Grant Partner, Shooting Star Childcare, for guest writing this blog. In addition, we thank Shooting Star Childcare for bringing your community’s wish to fruition and for doing your part to help meet the need for child care in your area. Shooting Star Childcare is a state-licensed

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Her Story: Jean Jew book helps support IWF

IWF Founder Jean Jew, M.D.’s personal story of sexual and racial harassment is the subject of the book, They Don’t Want Her There: Fighting Sexual and Racial Harassment in the American University. This written account by Jean’s lawyer, Carolyn Chalmers, is the story of the decade long details of the justice process Jean and Carolyn

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