Relating to financial support for the development of early childhood educators

This bill relates to financial support for the development of early childhood educators. The bill exempts jobs at child development homes, licensed child care facilities, or state or federally regulated preschools from the entry-level hourly wage requirement to qualify as a high-demand job for the purposes of the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program. The program covers the gap between federal and state grants and scholarships and tuition and qualified fees for eligible students in a program of study that leads to a high-demand job as designated by the workforce development board or a community college. The bill provides for a standing appropriation beginning FY 2022-2023 from the general fund of the state to the early childhood Iowa fund of $265,950. Moneys appropriated pursuant to the bill shall be used by the early childhood Iowa state board for the purpose of assisting in expenses for skills development, tuition expenses, endorsements for teaching licenses, and licensure renewal for child care providers working in a facility licensed or regulated by the state or a federal agency.