I2D2

Don't miss this Opportunities Exchange Webinar! Learn about the innovative work happening in Iowa with Opportunities Exchange's upcoming webinar, featuring the Iowa Child Care Connect online tool, linked here: https://lnkd.in/gcxb2D_J. This powerful resource is making child care more accessible through: 🔍 Search and Filter Options: Families can easily find available child care that meets their needs. 📊 Real-Time Vacancy Dashboard: Displays openings by age, location, and quality. 📈 Interactive Supply and Demand Dashboard: Provides insights into estimated demand and available provider supply. Check out this exciting opportunity to explore how Iowa is leading the way in child care solutions featuring I2D2 Director, Heather L. Rouse, with our state leaders Tami Foley and Wendy Hoogeveen from Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, and development partner Amy Smigielski from Resultant.

Today, over half of Americans live in a childcare desert, defined as an area where child care is out of reach due to proximity or cost. And, two-thirds of children under age 6 have all parents in the workforce (both partnered and solo parents). This means millions of families are struggling to find the early learning and care opportunities their children need to thrive. Head Start is working hard to fill this gap by providing high-quality early education in rural areas, underserved communities, and beyond. But we need more support to ensure every child has access to the care and education they deserve. Together, we can change this. Share this post to raise awareness and advocate for increased investment in early childhood education by signing this eLetter urging Congress to invest in #HeadStart. https://bit.ly/48jBKR4 PhotoCredit: Community Action Agency #ChildcareDeserts #EarlyEducationMatters

We’re proud to have played a part in developing this resource that will benefit families and child care providers across Iowa. It's amazing to see what we can accomplish together for our communities! 

Empowering Families Through Head Start Our findings demonstrate that children from rural areas, as well as those born to mothers with lower educational attainment, teen mothers, or single mothers, are more likely to be enrolled in Head Start programs. This highlights Head Start’s critical role in providing essential support to families facing significant challenges, ensuring early education opportunities for the children who need it most. https://lnkd.in/gF__xHXP #DataDriven #EarlyChildhoodEducation #HeadStart #RuralCommunities #Iowa

Explore the 2023 Iowa Child Care Workforce Study from I2D2 featured by the Early Childhood Data Collaborative!

Celebrating Diversity and Access in Iowa Head Start Programs Using one of the first systems in the U.S. that includes child-level data from Head Start recipients statewide, our latest research underscores the program's pivotal role in providing access to diverse and underserved communities. Findings reveal that Asian, Black, and Hispanic children are more likely to be enrolled in Head Start compared to their White counterparts. As we continue to explore this data, the importance of programs like Head Start in supporting early childhood education and advancing equity remains clear. Our findings highlight the need for sustained efforts to ensure all children have access to the resources they need. https://lnkd.in/gF__xHXP #DataDriven #EquityInEducation #HeadStart

Iowa leaders stepping into innovative space to better serve families

Did you know that Head Start serves a significantly more diverse group of children than other preschool programs? According to I2D2 Data Brief #15, 37% of children enrolled in Head Start are nonwhite, compared to just 16-17% in other or no preschool programs. This highlights Head Start’s vital role in providing children with diverse backgrounds early education opportunities. At I2D2, we are committed to understanding and communicating these insights to better serve communities across Iowa and beyond! 🌱 #EarlyChildhood #HeadStart #DataDriven

In celebration of Head Start Awareness Month, next week, we’ll be sharing Data Bytes that highlight key insights from our work here in Iowa! Stay tuned as we showcase how data is driving impact in early childhood education. 📊 These insights are provided by I2D2, a program of Iowa State University and Early Childhood Iowa, committed to leveraging the state’s most informed, passionate, and data-driven resources to ensure all Iowa children are successful from birth. 🌟 #HeadStartAwarenessMonth #DataForImpact #Iowa #EarlyChildhood"

Congratulations to our I2D2 team and affiliated faculty for having this study recognized by NIEER! 🎉 This research emphasizes the positive outcomes of dual enrollment in Head Start and state-funded Pre-K, showing how it increases time spent in center-based education and boosts school readiness skills for children in Iowa. We're proud to see the impact of our data-driven efforts contributing to early childhood development. 🌟📊 Happy Head Start Awareness Month! #I2D2 #EarlyChildhoodEducation #DataForImpact