Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

Newsletter

Volume 16 - January 2016
Greetings and Happy New Year!
The legislative session will begin on January 11, 2016 and it should conclude April 19, 2016.  When the session ends,  Iowa needs a sound s trategy  to ensure a  brighter future for all of us!  That strategy must:
  • Begin at birth.
  • Focus on the whole child.
  • Promote quality.
  • Address needs of children and families.
  • Be efficient and effective.
The need is great in Iowa.  Did you know that: 
  • 77% of households with children under the age of 6 in Iowa have all available parents in the labor force.  Iowa ranks #1 among the 50 states, the national average is 65%.
  • Children under the age of 6 are in child care settings an average of 36 hours each week.
  • 21% of a child's time in the first 2,000 days of life are spent in child care.
  • More than 1 in 5 Iowa children ages four months to 5 years are at moderate or high risk of developmental, behavioral or social delays.
Now is the time to invest in Iowa's future.  Studies show that for every $1 spent on services to children age 0-5, our rate of return is $8!  To keep up to date during the next legislative session go to the Iowa Legislative website.

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You have the chance to invest in our youngest citizens...and all you have to do is volunteer your time!
 
The Iowa 4 R Kids Early Childhood Area Board is seeking applicants who want to help children age 0-5 grow, learn and prepare for Kindergarten. With the state financial resources, our twelve member board awards Early Childhood grants to ensure young children will be healthy and successful. 
 
Board membership is available  to residents who reside or work in Adair, Dallas, Madison, or Warren County, and do not directly or indirectly receive funds from the Board. For more information download the 4 R Kids Board membership application or contact the ECI Director,  Debra Schrader.
The 4 R Kids ECI Area Board has a Facebook Page!   Like us on Facebook  
Debra Schrader
4 R Kids Executive Director
Embrace Iowa
The Des Moines Register's Embrace Iowa  program takes place annually and provides a benefit for up to $500 for emergency relief for households in need.  Applications will be considered for households at or below 200% of Federal HHS poverty guidelines.  Application are accepted from November 5 - January 31.  Examples of non-routine emergency expenses considered such as medical or dental expenses, vehicle repairs, home repairs, child care, essential appliances or furniture and essential housewares. For more information about Embrace Iowa contact your respective Community Action Agency.
5th Annual Appreciation Reception
The 5th Annual Appreciation Reception held December 3, 2015 at Annelise Winery was a huge success. There were testimonials from families who received family support services and preschool tuition scholarships, along with a tear jerking testimonial about preschool dental screenings. Additionally, we heard from the child care nurse consultants.  A big thank you goes to Jovanka Westbrook, Executive Director of Partners in Family Development for videotaping the testimonials. You can access the videos at the  4 R Kids website under the blog side of the webpage.
Free Tax Preparation
If you earn $58,000 or less you may be eligible for free tax preparation. Resources in locating a tax preparation website include the  IRS WebsiteISU Extension Website and  Des Moines Metro Area sites.
Early Childhood Iowa
Stay up to date with Early Childhood Iowa.  The Early Childhood Iowa website has a plethora of information.
Iowa Ranks Good and Bad 
According to the 26th annual America's Health Ranking report , compiled by the United Health Foundation, shows that Iowa has seen improvement in adults who smoke (ranking improved from 28th to 26th) as well as obesity (ranking improved from 39th to 35th).   However, Iowa still has challenges with  excessive drinking and ranks 48th in the nation.
Save The Dates

 

4 R Kids 
Board Meetings
January - no meeting
February 18, 2016
March 17,2016  

Early Childhood 
Day on the Hill
February 23, 2016
Save The Dates

 

4 R Kids 
Board Meetings
January - no meeting
February 18, 2016
March 17,2016  

Early Childhood 
Day on the Hill
February 23, 2016
Save The Dates

 

4 R Kids 
Board Meetings
January - no meeting
February 18, 2016
March 17,2016  

Early Childhood 
Day on the Hill
February 23, 2016

Toddlerfest!

Below are the dates that have been scheduled for this year's Toddlerfests in each County.

 

4/2/16 - Warren County

4/9/16 -  Madison County

5/3/16 - Adair County

5/7/16 - Dallas County

 

 Keep checking the 

4 R Kids Website for more information.

CCRR annual report is now available. Here are some of the highlights.
- 29.9% of providers have a QRS rating
- $4.9 million supported CCRR services 
- A family earning $61,990 annually will pay 16% of their income

4 R Kids Survey
The 4 R Kids ECI Area Board is charged with conducting a needs assessment every three years.  The area will be administering a client survey in the next few months.  Anyone that is interested in assisting with the needs assessment may contact the ECI Director at 4rkidseci@gmail.com.

Debra Schrader, 4 R Kids Executive Director

4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

1011 Pear Avenue

Prescott, Iowa 50859

641-344-2250

4rkids-eci.org

4rkidseci@gmail.com


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4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board Vision
"Every child beginning at birth will be healthy and successful"