I2D2 Releases 2022 ECI Family Survey Results
In the wake of our introduction to the COVID-19 pandemic, the shut-down in 2020, and the creation of the Governor's Childcare Task Force in 2021, it is clear that Iowa families are still facing challenges – particularly those families with very young children. Families in 2022 report less awareness of how and where to find services they need, for example, and families with low income report increasing challenges with access, affordability, and finding services that meet their needs. The good news is that state partners are responding, and thanks to these voices from Iowa families we are engaging in a new strategic planning period to identify how we can best support these changing needs.
To see more about what Iowa families reported check out the most recent ECI Family Survey Report. This report highlights what families reported, and changes in needs and opportunities from 2019 (where we had a similar statewide survey that helped inform a comprehensive Statewide Strategic Plan and Needs Assessment). This survey not only helped us learn more about families' experiences accessing child care and other early childhood services, but also included some special consideration for sub-groups of families by income, urbanicity, and ethnicity.
We would like to thank ECI and our partners for their feedback and expertise in the development, dissemination, and analysis of the survey.
The full report of 2021-2022 ECI Family Survey Results are now available!
For a full list of previous I2D2 reports, visit https://i2d2.iastate.edu/publications/
I2D2 Launches IA Data Drive
After much collaboration with Early Childhood Iowa and community stakeholders, I2D2 is excited to launch the IA Data Drive!
This interactive dashboard was designed to bring multiple data sources into one location to focus attention on the sets of indicators that are most relevant for early childhood strategic planning. IA Data Drive currently includes the ECI State Board-approved indicators and we will continue to add future data elements in order to meet the needs of additional community and statewide planning efforts.
We would like to thank all of the Early Childhood Iowa Board Directors, ECI Results Accountability team, the ECI State team, and the 2021 Data Science for the Public Good team for their substantial assistance in the review of indicators and invaluable feedback on the development of the dashboard.
We will be offering live training opportunities in August to demonstrate use of IA Data Drive and will be posting formal trainings on i2d2.iastate.edu.
Be sure to get signed up for our mailing list and newsletter to stay up to date on this and more work coming from I2D2!
September 13 ECI Stakeholders Alliance Meeting
The ECI Stakeholders Alliance will meet on Tuesday, September 13, 2022 from 9:00am to 11:00am via Zoom. The Alliance is open to anyone who is interested in learning about Iowa's early childhood system is encouraged to attend. The agenda will be focused on current ECI strategic planning efforts as the current 2019-2022 strategic plan is updated for 2023-2026.
2023 ECI Meetings At A Glance
Upcoming ECI State Board and ECI Stakeholders Alliance meetings for 2023 have been scheduled. On the Events page you'll find a purple button at the top of the page with links to the 2022 and 2023 ECI Meetings At A Glance. The corresponding calendar provides Zoom links and agendas for corresponding meetings as the meetings are upcoming.
Anxiety Reduction and Self-Care
Hosted by Project Recovery Iowa and a virtual training option. As we reflect on the past two-plus years living with the pandemic, there has been disruption, uncertainty, and prolonged exhaustion which may have impacted your emotional wellbeing. Across the Midwest levels of anxiety and depression have remained three times higher than pre-pandemic levels. As we continue to better understand the impact of prolonged ups and downs in our lives , we want to help you look at strategies to assist and help those who are especially vulnerable. This training will help you learn how you can support healthy dialogue, address stigma and promote emotional wellbeing.
If you would like to register for this training please email khyatt@dhs.state.ia.us or call 515-601-7899.
Registration for the 2022 Early Learning Fall Institute is now open!
Join the Iowa Association for the Education of Young Children on September 30-October 1 (pre-institute workshops on September 29). We are thrilled to be back in person and will be at a new location this year - Holiday Inn Des Moines-Airport.
Hear from keynote speakers Rachel Giannini on Friday and Dr. Adolph Brown, III on Saturday! Visit the IowaAEYC website for additional information including member registration instructions. Contact Anne Geiger, anne@iowaaeyc.org or 515-331-8000 ext. 122 with any questions.
Workshop selection tools are available on the IowaAEYC website and click here to register!