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Senate Update: Kids Count report shows teen birth rate down 42-plus percent
by Bob Dvorsky, State Senator · Op-Ed · February 04, 2016


Iowa kids are showing continual improvement in their health and education conditions, according to new data in the annual Iowa Kids Count report.


In particular, the teen birth rate has decreased more than 42 percent and the mortality indicators for infants, children and teens have decreased between 21 and 24 percent since 2000.

However, the economic well-being of Iowa’s families and children has not fared so well. Today, 110,000 Iowa children live in poverty – far more than the entire population of most Iowa communities. The child poverty rate is up 44 percent since 2000, and the percentage of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunches is up 56 percent. The percentage of Iowans receiving food assistance has more than tripled.

That’s why Senate Democrats continue to fight for greater economic security for Iowa families, for additional worker training, expanded job creation efforts and more educational opportunities from preschool through college.

New child care requirements will also make a difference by bringing much-needed improvements that are child-focused, family friendly and fair to providers, while maintaining state flexibility.

The Iowa Department of Human Services has developed a Child Care State Plan that incorporates the new federal requirements without need for additional funding.

Changes will:

• Provide consistency for kids by increasing eligibility for child care assistance to 12 months, instead of 6.

• Soften the impact on working families by tapering off child care assistance as income goes up.

• Allow families to receive child care assistance for 3 months while searching for work.

• Offer higher reimbursement rates for providers that achieve a high Quality Rating score.

• Require a bigger investment in quality programming.

• Give more on-site monitoring of child care settings.

• Include annual unannounced visits to providers.

• Require more training for providers.

A legislative forum is set for Muscatine County on Feb. 6 at 9 a.m. at Muscatine Community College, 154 Colorado St, Muscatine. For more information: 563-288-6001.