Annually, the United Ways of Iowa identifies key priorities to advocate on behalf of communities and all Iowans.
EDUCATION
- 3rd Grade Proficiency. Support state funding ($500,000) for the Iowa Reading Corps Program, serving over 1,000 K-3rd graders annually with a $1.1 million federal grant. Approximately 70% of students exit the program reading at grade level or higher.
ECONOMIC OPPORUTNITY
- Child Care. Support policies to address access to high-quality, affordable child care and early childhood education, including increased wages and benefits to grow our child care workforce, and expand Child Care Assistance benefits to support working families.
- Food Insecurity. Support state investment in the Double Up Food Bucks program, allowing families greater access to locally grown, high-quality food.
- Housing. Support efforts to increase access to affordable housing in local communities across Iowa.
HEALTH
- Children's Health & Well-Being. Support efforts to strengthen the children's mental and behavioral health system in Iowa by supporting the recommendations of the Coalition to Advance Mental Health in Iowa for Kids (CAMHI4KIDS).
- Access to Dental Health Care. Support investments to increase access to dental care for low-income Iowans across the state.
- Strengthening Families. Support the recommendations of ACES 360 (Adverse Childhood Experiences)