Iowa School Districts to Launch Pilot Program Expanding Child Care Access
In a bid to enhance child care access and provide career pathways for students, the Iowa Department of Education has launched a pilot program involving five school districts. These districts have been awarded over $140,000 in grants to foster school-community partnerships, enabling high school students to pursue a national child development credential.
The inaugural group of school districts participating in the Credentials to Child Care Careers grant program includes:
- Council Bluffs Community School District
- MMCRU Community School District
- Sioux Central Community School District
- Starmont Community School District
- Woodbine Community School District
Iowa Department of Education Director McKenzie Snow emphasized the significance of these programs, stating, “These Credentials for Child Care Careers programs will expand access to high-quality child care, while supporting an early childhood workforce of and for local communities.” She praised the participating districts for their role in advancing child development career pathways and aiding working families.
The Child Development Associate (CDA) credential, recognized nationally in early childhood education, is awarded by the Council for Professional Recognition. Achieving this credential involves coursework, gaining field experience, and undergoing an assessment where students are evaluated while interacting with children.
Kimberly Villotti, Early Childhood Bureau Chief at the Iowa Department of Education, expressed enthusiasm for the collaboration with Iowa Health and Human Services, saying, “We are excited to continue joint efforts with our Iowa Health and Human Services partners in child care and to support school districts and local child care providers building relationships in service to their communities.”
Participating districts will receive curricula aligned with Iowa Health and Human Services’ professional development requirements and the CDA credential standards. The grant funding can also be used for various expenses such as exam fees, textbooks, course materials, student and partner stipends, and other costs to facilitate participation.
The grants will be allocated to the districts in July, with plans for implementation during the 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.
For more details on the Credentials to Child Care Careers Grant, visit the Iowa Department of Education’s Industry-Recognized Credentials page.
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