About Early Childhood Iowa

Grinning boy sitting on the floor next to a stack of wooden blocks

Committed to the First 2,000 Days of Life

Early Childhood Iowa (ECI) exists so that every community in Iowa will develop the capacity and commitment for using local, informed decision making to achieve desired results for Iowa’s young children and their families. To achieve the desired results, ECI is made up of three parts.

State Leadership Board

To promote the vision for a comprehensive early care, education, health, and human services system.

State Advisory Structure

To provide advice and support to the state board, the Governor, general assembly, and other public and private policy bodies to coordinate state activities.

Local Structure

To enable local citizens to lead efforts in their area as designated by the State Board, and to administer grant funding to programs and services catered to young children.