Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

Newsletter

Volume 7 - July 2013

Greetings! 

The legislative session began January 14, 2013 and  was to concluded in May. The Senate concluded on the 129th day of the 2013 session and the House on the 130th day, which was more than two weeks after lawmakers stopped receiving daily expense payments. 
 
There was legislative language change for local Early Childhood Iowa Area Boards that goes into affect July 1, 2013. "Not more than one member shall represent the same entity or interest on the local board" and "an area board shall not be a provider of services to or for the area board". Neither of these two items impact the 4 R Kids ECI Area board, but it does impact other areas of the state.  Another change that happened was a trade of federal early childhood funds for state early childhood funds.  The intent of the funds did not change and will continue to be utilized for child care related programming efforts. The formula utilized to allocate funds to local ECI area Boards also did not change, which is based off of FIP cases (Family Investment Program) which has evidence of being an unstable formula from year to year.  Basically, only a few minor administrative things changed with this piece of new language and funded programs will see little to no impact regarding this new change.
 
The 4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa area board will be working on their FY2014 legislative agenda over the next few months.  One agenda item that may be considered will be in regards to advocating for a formula change for the Early Childhood funds to one that is more stable. Work has already been done this past fiscal year on getting input from all local ECI area Boards regarding a different formula.  If you have any suggestions or ideas for other legislative priorities feel free to contact me.

 

Debra Schrader

4 R Kids Executive Director

       Community Conversation
Invitation

The Iowa Department of Public Health has asked the 4 R Kids ECI Area Board to host a community conversation about children's mental health.  A luncheon will be held Thursday July 25, 2013 from 11:30 -12:45 at the Adel Library.  Community partners and interested persons in Adair, Dallas, Madison, and Warren County are invited to attend but you must RSVP no later than July 23, 2013 by contacting Debra Schrader at [email protected]. You may also access the Community Conversation Invitation to learn more about the event.

 

Additionally, the Dallas County ACES meeting will also be the same day at 1:00 at the Adel Library.  Please plan to attend both events.

Meetings

A 4 County Meeting Document has been drafted to assist community partners in the numerous meetings that happen in Adair, Dallas, Madison, and Warren County. It is to be considered draft as meetings are fluid and can change at a moments notice.

Additionally, there will be meeting information on the monthly  Announcement Tab of the 4 R Kids Website.  You will also be able to download a Microsoft Word version so you can add your own information if you so choose.  
  

A list of  FY2014 4 R Kids Board Meetings can be found on the website along with a Calendar of Events.

 4 R Kids Community Plan

Over the past year community partners and board members have been involved with the planning process of the 4 R Kids Community Plan. On June 20, 2013 the Community Plan was adopted by the 4 R Kids ECI Area Board.  On behalf of the Board, we would like to thank all the community partners in assisting with this endeavor, without your assistance a comprehensive community plan would not be possible. 

 

The community plan is available to anyone who has an interest in Adair, Dallas, Madison, and Warren County.  You will find a plethora of information such as needs assessments, surveys, data, trends, fiscal mapping, and other informative information.  If you would like to have a Microsoft Word version, feel free to contact Debra Schrader at [email protected] and one will be emailed to you. Again, thank you for helping draft the 4 R Kids Community Plan.

4 R Kids ECI 
FY2014 Funded Programs
 
The 4 R Kids ECI Area Board will support a variety of services for families with children under the age of six. For a complete list of services visit the
or click here

 
 
  
  

 

Iowa

Family Support Credential

 

Congratulations to Partners in Family Development who administers the Parents as Teachers Program in Dallas, Madison, and Warren County for receiving the elite status of the Iowa Family Support Credential.  This program was the 26th program in the state to receive this status. 

 

Did You Know?

4 of the 5 family support programs that the 4 R Kids ECI Area Board supports have a Credential or National Accreditation

  

 

Iowa Kids Count Data
 
The most recent data from Iowa Kids Count is available and can be found here.
  
20 key indicators of child-welling is tracked by County.

 

 

Debra Schrader, 4 R Kids Executive Director

4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board

1011 Pear Avenue

Prescott, Iowa 50859

641-344-2250

4rkids-eci.org

[email protected]


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4 R Kids Early Childhood Iowa Area Board Vision
"Every child beginning at birth will be healthy and successful"