The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in partnership with Iowa State University and data and technology consulting firm Resultant, has launched a new website called Iowa Child Care Connect to help Iowans more easily find childcare availability near their homes, where they attend school, or near their work places.
The new website, which the state touts as first-of-its kind-in-the-nation, is the result of one of the recommendations brought by the Governor’s Child Care Task Force.
“Using Iowa’s Child Care Connect, Iowa parents will be able to locate any open childcare spots in their neighborhood or along their route to work – almost in real time,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “This new innovative solution is just one way we are meeting the critical childcare needs of working families in our state. Iowa Child Care Connect is a game changer and I am so proud of all the partnership and work that has gone into its creation.”
This platform was built using a well-known mapping system that has the capability to calculate trip times in both miles and minutes. These mapping capabilities will hopefully allow Iowans to identify childcare vacancies on their way to work, while also factoring in other potential stops they make along the way.
The governor’s office said the website was designed to be flexible so it can adapt and change for the needs of Iowans. The state believes this flexibility will allow the website to be a sustainable, long-term solution.
“As a working mom of young children, I understand firsthand and know the challenges of what working parents face in finding available and affordable childcare,” said Kelly Garcia, director of Iowa HHS. “We are thrilled to provide this new, easy-to-use tool that will meet working Iowa parents right where they are and expand accessibility to open childcare slots.”
Parents or other caretakers searching for openings are able to filter vacancies by specific criteria such as type of childcare setting, age ranges, hours of operation, rating level, and Child Care Assistance availability.
Additionally, the website will also serve as a valuable and essential tool in emergency situations. First responders will be able to use the childcare search information to make sure all children in a specific area are safe and accounted for during an emergency.
