Iowa Launches Child Care Assistance Program

New law provides financial support to child care workers regardless of income

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:53pm

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A vibrant, high-contrast silkscreen illustration of a stack of colorful children's building blocks repeated in a grid pattern, conceptually representing the importance of child care workers and the programs that support them.The new Child Care Assistance program aims to strengthen Iowa's child care infrastructure by supporting the professionals who make it possible.Slater Today

Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds has signed into law the Child Care Assistance (CCA) pilot program, which provides financial assistance to child care workers to help them afford care for their own children. The bipartisan bill ensures workers who put in at least 32 hours per week receive this support regardless of their household income.

Why it matters

The CCA program aims to address Iowa's child care staffing shortages by making the industry more accessible and attractive to workers. Over the past 5 years, Iowa has increased its child care capacity by over 25,000 slots, and this new law is expected to further boost recruitment and retention in the field.

The details

Governor Reynolds signed the CCA program into law at the Stepping Stones Child Development Center in Slater, Iowa. One participant, Alura Gould, shared how the program allowed her to continue working in child care after having a child of her own. The CCA bill received overwhelming bipartisan support in the state legislature.

  • Governor Reynolds introduced the CCA program in 2023.
  • The CCA program was signed into law on April 9, 2026.

The players

Gov. Kim Reynolds

The Governor of Iowa who signed the CCA program into law.

Alura Gould

A child care worker who participated in the CCA program and was able to continue working in the industry after having a child.

Stepping Stones Child Development Center

The child care facility in Slater, Iowa where Governor Reynolds signed the CCA program into law.

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What they’re saying

“I was able to have a job that would allow me to work with children like I had been for years, and I was passionate about it while knowing that my daughter was receiving quality care.”

— Alura Gould, Child Care Worker

“Over the last five years, Iowa's child care capacity has increased by more than 25,000 slots. This is the type of progress that happens when we combine vision and action, when individuals, employers and policymakers really join forces to give every family a pathway to prosperity.”

— Gov. Kim Reynolds

What’s next

The CCA program will now be implemented statewide, with the goal of continuing to expand Iowa's child care capacity and support workers in the industry.

The takeaway

The CCA program demonstrates Iowa's commitment to addressing its child care staffing challenges through innovative policies that support workers and make the industry more accessible. This bipartisan effort is expected to have a positive impact on families and the state's economy.