Child care is a workforce issue in Iowa

“Let me work.”

It’s a plea echoed by parents around our community and across our state. Because childcare isn’t just a family issue; it’s a workforce issue.

But our state and federal policies don’t treat it that way.

As the CEO of Hand in Hand in the Quad Cities, I see how child care costs and lack of accessibility hurt families, especially those raising children with disabilities. On average, Iowa parents pay 14% of their income to child care. That’s double what’s considered affordable. Recent developments make the hope for future funding and support even more vulnerable.

For parents of children and teens with disabilities, the barriers are higher. Without child care, work isn’t possible. Current programs cover only short-term respite, not the care families need to stay employed.

Working from home isn’t a solution. Kids need more than proximity; they need the human connections and quality programs that build skills, confidence, and resilience.

The solution requires more than temporary patchwork. We must enact policies and programs that reflect reality. Because this is about our economy as much as it is about accessibility.

It’s time to treat child care as a workforce engine. Let’s push for policies that give every parent the chance to provide for their families.

Angie Kendall

Bettendorf