Greetings and Happy Spring!

The  88th Iowa legislative session  is still in progress. The legislative session began on January 14, 2019 and it should conclude May 3, 2019.  There are several bills that impact families with young children. Below are just a few.  

HSB248 - The appropriations bill provides for $1 million increase to help fund programs for families with young children to help with education, health care, and other identified local needs.

HF690 -  This bill ensures that there is local access and coordination to mental health services for children, and that parents have a place to turn when seeking treatment for their child.Each Mental Health Region must hire a children's services coordinator who will serve as the subject matter expert and focus solely on the development of children's mental health services in that area.

SF544 and HF538 - These bills are similar and are in regards to changes to mandatory reporting training for adults and children.

You are encouraged to keep up to date during the legislative session as well as educate your local legislators on the importance of investing in our youngest Iowan's. You can stay in the know by check the legislative website for bills and auto streaming.

There is an opportunity to view the Mental Health Mind Matters exhibit and engage in a provoking and informative conversation about children's mental health. The April 8th session will focus on early childhood brain development and the critical role healthy mental development plays in the overall health of Iowa's children. Dayna Long, MD, Medical Director for the Department  of Community Health and Engagement at UCSF Benioff Children's Hospital Oakland, will guide participants through the current science and best practices for addressing adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) and reducing toxic stress to improve the health of all children. Following Dr. Long's presentation, a panel will highlight innovations across our state and across sectors working to improve the social emotional well-being of Iowa's children. The cost is $25 and registration details are here.

Young Children in the Digital Age -  A Parent's Guide

One challenge families face today involves making decisions about appropriate screen and digital device use for their young children. To help navigate this territory, Nancy Carlsson-Paige has written Young Children in the Digital Age: A Parent's Guide. Based on six core ideas from the field of child development, the guide offers helpful information and support for family members as well as real-life, specific suggestions to implement at home.

April is Child Abuse Awareness Month

This April, Adair, Dallas, Madison and Warren Counties will join hundreds of communities across the nation in celebrating Child Abuse Prevention Month.  All children deserve a great childhood because our children are our future.  How are we going to achieve this?  We're going to do it together, one simple, everyday action at a time, where we support both the families we know and all of the families in our neighborhood and community.   If we work to turn small actions into big impact not just during April, but every day, we can go a long way toward creating the kind of world where all children have the great childhood they deserve and abuse and neglect never occurs. 

The blue pinwheel has become the symbol for child abuse prevention.  Pinwheels symbolize the happy, carefree childhood that all children deserve.  Throughout the month of April, pin wheel will be on display throughout our four county area and each community will have activities planned to celebrate Child Abuse Prevention Month.  Show your support for child abuse prevention by wearing blue on Blue Out Day April 5th. 

Early Childhood Iowa